Final answer:
In the United States, marriage is indeed primarily based on personal choice, with autonomy prioritized in selecting life partners. This reflects the wider cultural emphasis on individualism, although societal factors can still influence personal choices, including ethnic, religious, and cultural considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, in the United States, marriages are primarily based on personal choice, emphasizing the autonomy of individuals in selecting their life partners. The cultural norm in the U.S. portrays marriage as a decision made by two adults based on mutual feelings of love, contrasted with other societies where marriages can be arranged or influenced by familial negotiations. Americans tend to highly value individualism, which extends to the freedom to pursue marriage based on personal desire rather than strict cultural or familial mandates.
However, individual decisions, such as the choice to marry, are not made in a vacuum and are still influenced by societal norms and pressures. For instance, societal standards, religious beliefs, and cultural backgrounds can shape an individual's choices, including their views on marriage. Despite the preference for personal choice in marriage partners, variations in marital trends are noticeable with regards to ethnicity, religiosity, and cultural backgrounds within the U.S.
Social institutions like marriage are experiencing changes in their form and significance. As seen in societies around the world, such as Iceland, where a significant number of children are born to unmarried but committed couples, the traditional concept of marriage is evolving. In the U.S., there is an increasing number of people choosing lifestyles that do not include marriage, reflecting individual preferences and changing social norms.