Final answer:
In The Giver, couples must wait three years before applying for a child after being given a spouse. This waiting period allows them to establish a bond and prepare for parenthood. It is similar to historical examples of waiting periods before starting a family.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Lois Lowry's novel The Giver, there is a society where individuals are assigned a spouse and children are not conceived through natural means. In this society, couples are matched by a committee and given spouses. Once a couple is married, they must wait three years before applying for a child.
This waiting period is designed to give couples time to establish a strong emotional bond before taking on the responsibility of raising a child together. It allows them to focus on their relationship and ensure that they are ready to become parents.
This waiting period is similar to historical examples where certain cultures or societies had specific waiting periods before couples could have children, such as in the context of enslaved African-born women who often waited two or three years before taking a husband.