CRITERIA OF SOCIAL STATUS AS DERIVED FROM MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

The purpose of this article is to determine, from the biographical material contained in socially important marriage announcements, what characteristics are common to the group assumed to be at the top of the social system in New York City, and what, if any, are the integrating standards of the group. The information used was taken from a total of 413 marriage announcements featured by the social editors of "The New York Times" in lead articles. The period of time covered was 1932-1942, and the material was limited to Sundays in June of these years. Marriage announcements have come to follow a stereotyped form and consistently include certain information regarding the bride, the groom and their families. In addition to descriptions of the costumes of the bridal party and of the marriage ceremony, the announcement, as a rule, contains a brief summary of the background of the bride and groom and facts concerning their families, notably, residence, and social and occupational distinction of the families.