Marriage In America Essay

In this paper, I will examine the journey that the majority of Americans take while courting their peers and their road to marriage, as well as how the traditional marriage is celebrated from an etic perspective. In America, it is not taboo to date (or court) many different perspective suitors while on their road to marriage. Marriage in America seems to be quite unstable in today's society, and yet more Americans get married than in any other country. (Campbell & Wright, 2010)

Courting in America starts with two people attracted each other. The majority of Americans do not hold race and religion high on their list of what they are looking for in a partner, so physical attraction seems to be the initial starter. Usually, a series of dates

follow where the new couple will ask questions about each other and learn about the others upbringing. These dates are where the couple will find if they are compatible with each other and want to pursue their relationship further.
Americans marry for love.

They do not marry for their family, or status. This has been a gradual change throughout the history of marriage in this country. Prior to the 1800's most people in America married for some social or economic reason and their families usually decided who they were going to marry. Courtships were almost forced upon the young couples. This is a big reason that marriage in America is so unstable today and the divorce rate is so high. "When love fades, infidelity and divorce become viable options. Infidelity and divorce rates reinforce this point. Depending on how infidelity is assessed, national estimates indicate that 20-25% of

individuals participate in extramarital sex at some point throughout the course of marriage" (Campbell & Wright, 2010, pg 229)

Monogamous marriages are the normal in America, but serial monogamy seems to be the trend more and more as the culture gets older. "Despite the ideal of marriage as a long-term commitment, divorce is quite common in many societies, especially before the birth of a first child. In societies such as the United States in which monogamy is the accepted form of marriage, a high rate of divorce (nearly half of marriages end in divorce) and subsequent remarriage creates a particular pattern called serial monogamy, in which individuals have more than one spouse, but at different times." (Crapo, 2013, chapter

6.4)
The usual marriage ritual in America is a pretty standard wedding in a church (since the majority of people in America are Christians). They start with the bride and groom's family and closest friends gathered together inside a church or outside to view the couple exchange vows. The bride is walked down he isle toward the front of the gathering where the groom and the officiant are waiting. It is normal for bridesmaids and groomsmen to accompany the bride and groom during the ceremony. Next, the bride is given away to the groom by her father (or whomever is available). This does not mean the same thing it meant hundreds of years ago when the father would actually be giving the bride to the groom, but the tradition is still there. During the ceremony lead by a some type of religious leader, the bride and groom exchange vows, and with that rings that symbolize there everlasting love for each other. After the ceremony, there is usually a large party full of music, dancing, food, and cake to celebrate the couples new union.

Although the courting and marriage in America is based on tradition, it is soon changing. Marriage in America is soon going to not only be the traditional man and women, but woman and woman, and man and man. It is also becoming my accepting of other religious unions such
as polygamy that many other countries still turn their cheeks at. Marriage in America is based on love, and hat tradition does not seem to be fading.