Study Of Marital And Family Status Of The Modernization Of The Early English Society

The thesis deals with the development of marriage and family in early modem England. It tries to find cut the distinguishing features and influences of marriage and family. It also explores the interrelationship between family and society. We hope that we could find some enlightenment from it.In the introduction, it outlines the purposes of writing, the structure and content of this thesis and present studying situation.Chapter I It discusses marriage age, family structure and property settlement. In early modem England, people married late in life generally. Simple family was the primary form. The main feature of property settlement was to ensure the independence of property ownership and the will of the owner.Chapter II The emphasis is the relationship of family members. From 16 century to 18 century, family relationship was improved constantly. It was more and more difficult for parents to control the marriage of their children. The trend of individualism got stronger. The relationship between husbands and wives became warm and kind. There were more affective exchange between parents and children.Chapter III Marriage and family keep in close contact with society. New means of production and changing of class power caused the development of marriage and family. Religion reformation and ideas of capitalism brought about the spread of new senses of marriage. The improvement of science and medicine also played an important role.Chapter IV Marriage and family in early modem England have some distinct features. On the one hand they are deeply affected by society, on the other hand , they are advantage to the rise of capitalism. We should take dialectics to analyze the development process of marriage and family.In the concluding remarks, it summaries the main content and viewpoints of this thesis again and stresses individual right.