Marriage in Culture: Practice and Meaning Across Diverse Societies

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Marriage refers to a legal union between a man and a woman, where they become a wife and husband. A family refers to a social unit that consists of children and their parents. Divorce, on the other hand, is the dissolution of a marriage by a court of law or any other competent body.
Explore the Variations of Marriage in Different Cultures
Marriage is an institution that has formed the foundation of families throughout history. However, the traditions that surround marriage ceremonies, choosing a marriage partner, as well as the obligations and rights of marriage differ from one culture to another. In most cultures, religion endorses monogamous and heterosexual marriages. This is a marriage that involves persons of the opposite gender, as opposed to those of similar gender. Most societies around the globe accepted heterosexual marriages between one man and one woman as the basis that all marriages should follow. However, there are societies that have a history of allowing polygamous marriages while some still allow. Polygamy is where a man marries more than one wife. Further, in many societies, it is civil and religious bodies that give the official approval for a marriage. In Europe, churches had a traditional responsibility of registering marriages and making them official. In the Arab culture, arranged marriages are common (Stockard, 2002). These are marriages arranged by parents and children give their willing consent, which means that they are not forced marriages. Several ceremonies lead to the actual marriage ceremony, which is usually a ceremony held in the brides home. In African cultures, men pay dowry to the woman’s family as a way of appreciating the parents bringing up the woman.
How women’s Rights and Property Owne...

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...eir married life as adults. The environment that they grew up in affects their marriage relationships as adults.

Works Cited

Deere, C. D. (2001). Empowering women: Land and property rights in Latin America. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Pre.
Depaulo, B. (2013, March 15). Marriage and happiness: 18 Long-Term studies | psychology today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/living-single/201303/marriage-and-happiness-18-long-term-studies
Jamison, L. (2013, October 7). Effects of divorce on children - Clinical psychology associates of north central Florida. Retrieved from http://cpancf.com/articles_files/efffectsdivorceonchildren.asp
Shetty, M. (2011). Magic in arranged marriage...: Is it for the west? , : Authorhouse.
Stockard, J. E. (2002). Marriage in culture: Practice and meaning across diverse societies. Fort Worth., : Wadsworth Pub Co.

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