Marriage - Western world

Marriage is a relationship between individuals which has formed the foundation of the family for most societies. Marriage can include legal, social, and religious elements. In western societies, marriage has traditionally been understood as social contract between a man (husband) and a woman (wife), while in other parts of the world polygamy has been the most common form of marriage, usually in the form of polygyny (a man taking several wives) but occasionally in the form of polyandry (a woman taking several husbands). In some western ...

Including:

• Marriage - Definitions
• Marriage - Types of marriages
• Marriage - Western world
• Marriage - Eastern world
• Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry
• Marriage - Traditional cultures
• Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain
• Marriage - Unique Practices
• Marriage - Recognition
• Marriage - Rights and obligations
• Marriage - Marriage restrictions
• Marriage - Termination
• Marriage - Weddings
• Marriage - Marriage and religion
• Marriage - Marriage and economics
• Marriage - Criticisms of marriage
• Marriage - Pragmatic marriage
• Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia - Marriage

Precise definitions vary historically and between and within cultures: modern understanding emphasizes the legitimacy of sexual relations in marriage, yet the universal and unique attribute of marriage is the creation of affinal ties (in-laws). Traditionally, societies encourage one to marry "out" far enough to strengthen the ties, but "close" enough so that the in-laws are "one of us" or "our kind". One exception to this rule is found in the marriage of royalty, who strengthen their aid through concentration of wealth rather than thr ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Definitions

Precise definitions vary historically and between and within cultures: modern understanding emphasizes the legitimacy of sexual relations in marriage, yet the universal and unique attribute of marriage is the creation of affinal ties (in-laws). Traditionally, societies encourage one to marry "out" far enough to strengthen the ties, but "close" enough so that the in-laws are "one of us" or "our kind". One exception to this rule is found in the marriage of royalty, who strengthen their aid through concentration of wealth rather than thr ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Definitions

The participants in a marriage usually seek social recognition for their relationship, and many societies require official approval of a religious or civil body. Sociologists thus distinguish between a marriage ceremony conducted under the auspices of a religion and a state-authorised civil marriage. In many jurisdictions the civil marriage ceremony may take place during the religious marriage ceremony, although they are theoretically distinct. In most American states, the marriage may be officiated by a priest, minister ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Recognition

Those who believe in romantic marriage will often criticize pragmatic marriage, considering it is oppressive, inhuman, or immoral. Defenders of pragmatic marriage disagree, often pointing to cultures where the success rate of pragmatic marriages is seen to be high, and holding that nearly all couples learn to love and care for each other very deeply. Those who believe in pragmatic marriage also have some traditional criticisms of romantic marriage, saying that it is short-term, overly based on sexual lust or immoral. Defenders of romantic marriage would hold that it is preferable to ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Many religions have extensive teachings regarding marriage. Most Christian churches give some form of blessing to a marriage; the wedding ceremony typically includes some sort of pledge by the community to support the couple's relationship. In the Roman Catholic Church "Holy Matrimony" is considered to be one of the seven sacraments, in this case one that the spouses bestow upon each other in front of a priest and members of the community as witnesses during a "Nuptial Mass". In the Eastern Orthodox church, it is one of the Mysteries, and is ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage and religion

The economics of marriage have changed over time. Historically, in many cultures the family of the bride had to provide a dowry to pay a man for marrying their daughter. In other cultures, the family of the groom had to pay a bride price to the bride's family for the right to marry the daughter. In some cultures, dowries and bride prices are still demanded today. In both cases, the financial transaction takes place between the groom (or his family) and the bride's family; the bride has no part in the transaction and often no choic ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage and economics

Under the principle of church-state separation, libertarians criticize the government regulation of and the state's involvement in marriage, because many now consider marriage a religious institution. The libertarian view is that if government must recognize marriage at all, it should be treated as a contract like any other between two freely consenting parties, which would essentially reduce family law to a subset of contract law. The religious aspects should remain the province of one's church and that church's ecclesiastical courts (if it has them). Relatively new legal developments like palimony have already til ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Criticisms of marriage

The type, functions, and characteristics of marriage vary from culture to culture, and can change over time. Marriage - Western world. In the Americas and Europe, in the 21st century, legally recognized marriages are formally presumed to be monogamous (although some pockets of society still accept polygamy socially, if not legally, and some couples choose to enter into so-called open marriages). In these countries, divorce is relatively simple and socially accepted. In the West, the prevailing view toward marriage today is that it is based on a legal covenant recognising emotional attachment bet ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Types of marriages

Societies have always placed restrictions on marriage to relatives, though the degree of prohibited relationship varies widely. In almost all societies, marriage between brothers and sisters is forbidden, with Ancient Egyptian, Hawaiian, and Inca royalty being the rare exception. In many societies, marriage between some first cousins is preferred, while at the other extreme, the medieval Catholic church prohibited marriage even between distant cousins. The present day Catholic Church still maintains a standard of required distance (in both consanguinity and affinity) for marriage. In many societies, various ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage restrictions

Marriage - Pragmatic marriage. A Pragmatic (or 'Arranged') marriage that is facilitated by formal procedures of family or group politics. A responsible authority sets up or encourages the marriage. The authority could be parents, family, a religious figure or a consensus. The former two often start the process with informal pressure, social pressure, whilst the latter two often start the process with a formal system or statement. In both cases, the authority has a compelling veto over the marriage, and this syste ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage

Marriage - Introduction. Same-sex unions have been recorded in the history of a number of cultures, but marriages or socially-accepted unions between same-sex partners were rare or nonexistent in other cultures. Same-sex marriage remains infrequent worldwide, especially as it is not offered in most countries. As tolerance of homosexuality has become more widespread in Western cultures, some governments have the possibility that same-sex couples, as well as opposite-sex couples, m ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Same-sex marriage

Under the principle of church-state separation, libertarians criticize the government regulation of and the state's involvement in marriage, because many now consider marriage a religious institution. The libertarian view is that if government must recognize marriage at all, it should be treated as a contract like any other between two freely consenting parties, which would essentially reduce family law to a subset of contract law. The religious aspects should remain the province of one's church and that church's ecclesiastical courts (if it has them). Relatively new legal developments like palimo ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

The economics of marriage have changed over time. Historically, in many cultures the family of the bride had to provide a dowry to pay a man for marrying their daughter. In other cultures, the family of the groom had to pay a bride price to the bride's family for the right to marry the daughter. In some cultures, dowries and bride prices are still demanded today. In both cases, the financial transaction takes place between the groom (or his family) and the bride's family; the bride has no part in the transaction and often no choic ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage and economics

Many religions have extensive teachings regarding marriage. Most Christian churches give some form of blessing to a marriage; the wedding ceremony typically includes some sort of pledge by the community to support the couple's relationship. In the Roman Catholic Church "Holy Matrimony" is considered to be one of the seven sacraments, in this case one that the spouses bestow upon each other in front of a priest and members of the community as witnesses during a "Nuptial Mass". In the Eastern Orthodox church, it is one of the Mysteries, and is ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage and religion

The ceremony in which a marriage is enacted and announced to the community is called a wedding. A wedding in which a couple marry in the "eyes of the law" is called a civil marriage. Religions also facilitate weddings, in the "eyes of God." In many European and some Latin American countries, where someone chooses a religious ceremony, they must also hold that ceremony separate from the civil ceremony. Certain countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands even legally demand that the civil marriage has to take place before any religious marriag ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Weddings

Typically, marriage is the institution through which people join together their lives in emotional and economic ways through forming a household. It often confers rights and obligations with respect to raising children, holding property, sexual behavior, kinship ties, tribal membership, relationship to society, inheritance, emotional intimacy, and love. Marriage sometimes: establishes the legal father of a woman's child; establishes the legal mother of a man's child; gives the husband or his family control over the wife's sexual servi ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Forced marriages, Marriage - Unique practices, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Romantic marriage and pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage contrasted to romantic marriage, Marriage - Same-sex marriage, Marriage - Introduction, Marriage - Jurisdictions accepting same-sex marriage, Marriage - Controversy, Marriage - Criticisms of the institution of marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Rights and obligations relating to marriage

The ceremony in which a marriage is enacted and announced to the community is called a wedding. A wedding in which a couple marry in the "eyes of the law" is called a civil marriage. Religions also facilitate weddings, in the "eyes of God." In many European and some Latin American countries, where someone chooses a religious ceremony, they must also hold that ceremony separate from the civil ceremony. Certain countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands even legally demand that the civil marriage has to take place before any religious marriag ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Weddings

Typically, marriage is the institution through which people join together their lives in emotional and economic ways through forming a household. It often confers rights and obligations with respect to raising children, holding property, sexual behavior, kinship ties, tribal membership, relationship to society, inheritance, emotional intimacy, and love. Marriage sometimes: establishes the legal father of a woman's child; establishes the legal mother of a man's child; gives the husband or his family control over the wife's sexual servi ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy monogamy and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium The Netherlands Canada Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Rights and obligations

These countries have the particular possibility that same-sex couples as well as opposite sex couples may engage in marriage. Although same-sex unions have been recorded in the history of a number of cultures, marriages between same-sex partners were rare or nonexistent in other cultures. Same-sex marriage remains infrequent worldwide, especially as it is not offered in most countries. However, some countries recognize same-sex marriage, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and Spain; in the United States same-sex marriage is l ...

See also:

Marriage, Marriage - Definitions, Marriage - Types of marriages, Marriage - Western world, Marriage - Eastern world, Marriage - Polygamy, monogamy, and polyandry, Marriage - Traditional cultures, Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Marriage - Unique Practices, Marriage - Recognition, Marriage - Rights and obligations, Marriage - Marriage restrictions, Marriage - Termination, Marriage - Weddings, Marriage - Marriage and religion, Marriage - Marriage and economics, Marriage - Criticisms of marriage, Marriage - Pragmatic marriage, Marriage - Romantic Marriage Vs. Pragmatic Marriage

Read more here: » Marriage: Encyclopedia II - Marriage - Marriage today in Belgium, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain