Żurek, Aldona2013-02-102013-02-102010Roczniki Socjologii Rodziny, 2010, tom 20, s. 93- 108.0867-2059http://hdl.handle.net/10593/4474In today's modem societies the number of people who get married is constantly decreasing. Choosing alternative life-styles, such as singlehood or cohabitation causes changes in the demographic structure. Rejecting marriage lifestyle is also affecting such areas as the economy, social policy, education and the functioning of primary groups. Still, a large proportion of the population of people under forty years of age choose to marry. This means that the institution has to offer both men and women many benefits. Sociological theories explaining this phenomenon refers to the functional utility of marriages. It has both a purely individual and social character. The benefits that a spouse achieves have the financial, material and prestigious nature. The advantage of marriage is also that it is the most important expression of feelings and emotions.plArtykuł