Abstract
This thesis explores differences between same faith and interfaith couples. In particular, I looked at marital satisfaction, communication, family reactions, and religion of the children. This was performed by doing research on the topic, then looking at theories that could explain why people choose to marry outside their faith, and what sort of affects it has on them and their families. I looked at rational choice theory, particularly exchange theory and Blau's impression management to explain certain themes. I also looked at symbolic interaction, specifically the looking glass self, and dyads and triads. After reading other studies on the topic and looking at certain theories, I made a questionnaire. Ten interviews were conducted, five with interfaith participants, and five with same faith participants. Results demonstrated that same faith couples have similar religious issues that interfaith couples face. In addition, those who chose to marry outside their religion were friends with many people of a different religion than their own while growing up, unlike those who married within their faith. On the same note, the intra faith participants strongly associate with people of their religious background. Also, the women in interfaith marriages were all raising their children different religions than what they were raised .
Advisor
Nurse, Anna
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Winston, Janie, "The Marital Satisfaction of Interfaith Couples Compared to the Same Faith Couples" (2002). Senior Independent Study Theses Archive. Paper 869.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudyarchive/869
Publication Date
2002
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2002 Janie Winston