In general, family life in Germany is much like Canadian family life. Families may consist of one or two parents and children, or simply two people living together. Traditionally the man is the head of the family, but increasingly there is joint responsibility in the home. The postwar economic boom saw many women join the paid work force in a wide range of occupations. At the same time, families headed by single mothers are increasing and many of these live below the poverty line. As in many European countries, many couples go through two marriage ceremonies. For a marriage to be recognized legally, couples must have a state wedding, which takes place at the Standesamt (marriage bureau) at the city hall. Couples may also have a church ceremony, but this ceremony is optional. Before a wedding, Germans sometimes hold a Polterabend, a noisy ceremony related to a traditional German saying that broken pottery brings good luck. The couple's friends bring plates or cups of pottery, china or glass and smash them outside the couple's door. The couple must sweep up the broken pieces. Most Germans live in apartments or condominiums, because the cost of land and house construction is high (two or three times the cost in Canada). Only 39 percent of Germans own their own home. German towns and cities have strict rules about how houses can be constructed, what materials may be used, and how a house may look. Property limits are clearly marked, with fences and walls separating houses. The long workweeks of the past few decades have given way to a more relaxed approach to life. Surveys indicate that family, friendships and leisure are more important than work in most Germans' list of priorities. Many Germans do volunteer work in hospices, churches and fire brigades, and about half are members of some type of club, most of them sports clubs. |
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