Foundations and Paradigms: Moral Roots of Beliefs and Disagreement About Marriage

Abstract

Research on links between moral perspective or judgment and perspectives on marriage is sparse and narrow. Moral Foundations Theory offers an expanded perspective on morality by proposing several moral intuitions that serve as a basis for moral judgments. A Midwestern, U.S. sample of 500 emerging adults (ages 18–30) completed an online survey about morality and marriage. Regression analyses found that the sanctity foundation was the most relevant to marital beliefs, predicting shorter ideal courtship length, more traditional marital roles, merging identities, and marital permanence. Authority predicted higher importance of having an expensive wedding, more traditional marital roles, and marital permanence. Fairness predicted a later ideal age of marriage (for females only) and less marital permanence. Care only predicted believing that marriage requires much work. Martial salience and centrality were not associated with any of the foundations. Minimal evidence for gender by moral foundation interactions were detected.