Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Leon James (2006). Lecture Notes on Unity Model of Marriage for G25. Section 4. Online at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409b-g25-lecture-notes.htm

I. Differentiation (No part of a man is like any part of a woman and vice versa)

A. In differentiation, the threefold self of a man and woman are biologically and spiritually different creating diversity in EVERY part in a man and woman.

1. Physically (in the sensorimotor unity), a male’s body parts are designed differently to fit a female’s body parts.

2. Physical examples of unity through differentiation and reciprocity are a hammer and nail, a fork and knife, and a choir with four-part harmonies.

B. The diversity in differentiation becomes unified through reciprocity so the traits of a man can fit together with the traits of a woman and vice versa.

1. The Yin/Yang emblem is a symbolic representation of sensorimotor unity. It represents male and female duality; the Yin and Yang are DEPENDENT opposites that must ALWAYS be in balance.

II. Reciprocity (The perfection of unity increases with the diversity of its composing elements)

A. Differentiation makes unity out of reciprocity.

1. A man and a woman create a unity by being completely different in a way that is reciprocal.

2. Synergy: Combined action or operation; Separate elements interact to produce a joint goal which a man and woman create by a reciprocal union.

3. In the Unity Model of Marriage, unity is achieved through synergy of the threefold self of each partner acting together.

4. There is NEVER any independence in this model. When the two are separated, it is as if they are one because each partner acts and thinks as if the other partner was there.

B. Yin Yang emblem example

1. Black and white curve around each other to create a perfect fit reciprocal union.

2. Forms a perfect circle.

C. Society’s views on reciprocity

1. A couple forms unity from positive feelings and loyalties.

2. A couple forms a unit that acts together towards a common goal.

D. “Equity Model”

1. This model is positive because it decreases discrimination against women.

2. This model will help take off a good amount of work load from the woman and bring the couple to a more intimate phase.

3. If a woman gives up her equity, the couple falls back into the “dominance model”.

4. If a man gives up his equity, the couple will move ahead into the unity model.

III. Eternity (The unity marriage relationship is eternal which will continue on to the afterlife in heaven)

A. The spiritual union of mind and spirit in a marriage is eternal.

B. The Unity Model of marriage will bring the couple to a more intimate phase, past the “equity model”.

Related Links:

Social Differentiation, Contemporary Marriage, and Human Development

http://jfi.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/12/3/251

This article is a good example of how marriages are viewed by society today, the differentiation between men and women, and what their specific roles are. It states how men and women are equal today in relationships, but if their occupational or economic status is equal as well, it will cause problems in identity roles in their relationship. Intimacy is also discussed as an important part of obtaining a stable marriage.

Real Marriage and Romantic love

http://cyberparent.com/love/fantasy.htm

The main sentence that struck out for me in this article was, “…marriages are not made in heaven; marriages are made by two committed people right here on earth.” I took this article as being very degrading towards marriages as a whole. It is true that no person is perfect, and a marriage does require work as a team with together, but that does not mean that ALL marriages are bad. The Unity Model is making me realize how much it would help society if people would really listened to it. This article makes it sound as if everyone is married here on earth, and then, that is it. There is no spiritual bond between two people to live for eternity as one united couple.

Women’s Economic Standing, Marriage Timing, and Cross-National Contexts of Gender

http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/pubs/abs.html?ID=2443

The main point that is made in this article is that, basically, women who have earned a higher economic status than men, will have a decrease in chance on getting married. This shows a poor example of how reciprocity is viewed in relationships today in society. Men who cannot get over this will never be able to use the Unity Model of Marriage. Both men and women must be different in order to achieve unity, but that does not mean that a woman cannot make more than her man. I think that is ridiculious. Both husband and wife need to support each other and work as a team in order to reach unity, even if that means the wife makes more money.

My Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409bf2006/fields/fields-home.htm

Class Homepage: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm