Genesis of the family according to post-modern society

The main pillar of the family has become the couple's relationship: to satisfy individual needs and allow the possibility for self-realisation, for men and women alike. This gender position has become relevant with its influence on the whole society. Post-modern society has offered people more individual freedom and choice. The average age of groom increased from 24.6 to 28.9 and the bride from 21.8 to 26.5. In the town of Mirošovice during the period of 1974 - 1989 the average age of bride was 21.64 (period of 1990 {--} 2005 was 25.89) and groom 24.55 (period of 1990 {--} 2005 is 29.29). This confirms the assumption of hypothesis H1: Age of engaged couple entering marriage in the period of 1990 {--} 2005 is higher than in the period of 1974 {--} 1989. The aim of this dissertation is to map out the situation during the period of 1990 - 2005 and its comparison with previous years (likewise for a 15 year period, from 1974 - 1989). I have chosen a quantitative type of research and analysis of actual realities - primary and secondary data analysis, taken from the noted data files of permanent inhabitants from the town of Mirošovice. In the observed file (127 couples) there are married couples included, who have permanent addresses in Mirošovice, and whose marriages have lasted up until the 31. 12. 2005. Since the 1990s, the age difference between husband and wife has increased. There was also a rise in the number of couples where the woman was older than the man. In Mirošovice the total average age difference between engaged couples (not considering the gender of the older partner) during the period 1974 {--} 1989 was 4.49 years and during the period 1990 {--} 2005 was 3.92 years. Thus hypothesis H2 is confirmed: Age difference between partners who were married after 1990 (during the period 1990 - 2005) is less than the period 1974 {--} 1989. Also hypothesis H3: Age difference (more than 5 years) of engaged couples does not have any direct relation to the age difference of their parents, has been proved. Hypothesis H4: Age difference of engaged couples where the older partner is a woman, having direct relation to the age difference of bride or groom's parents, where the mother was older than father, has not been proved. The individualisation characterising current changes in the family bring with them, mainly to the most elderly lonely women, but also men, many social, economical, health and psychological problems