Final answer:
Goldstein's explanation uses a conflict theory perspective to examine the struggles over social and financial resources in the marriage system, highlighting the dynamic nature of marriage as a social institution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Goldstein's explanation for how rare the marriage system he examines takes a conflict theory point of view. This theoretical perspective emphasizes the social and economic struggles surrounding the institution of marriage, particularly highlighting the battle over resources and legitimacy between different groups. In analyzing marriage, conflict theorists point out ideological and economic dimensions, such as the legal and financial entitlements that come with marriage, including Social Security benefits and medical insurance, and how these give rise to disputes. The analysis of changes in marriage systems, such as the increased acceptability of same-sex marriages and the precedent set by the allowance of interracial marriages in the 1960s, further demonstrate the dynamic and contested nature of social institutions like marriage.