The Symbolic Significance of Marriage - Term Paper Example

The Symbolic Significance of Marriage Marriage refers to the of two individuals being united, of their own consent, in a contractual relationship that is recognizable by the law (Herbert, 1971). It can also refer to that institution in which two individuals are joined through being married. Marriage can also be defined as a social union or a legal contract that serves to create a family relationship. As an institution, marriage entails the interpersonal intimate and sexual relationships that are recognizable and acknowledged by the cultures, social standings and the laws. There are different types of marriages, which can be classified into broad categories namely the opposite sex marriages and the same sex marriages (Charon, 2004). While the same sex marriage entails the union of two individuals who are of the same gender, opposite sex marriage refers to the union of two individuals who are of different genders (Eshleman, 2009). Although marriage for opposite sex individuals is customary and traditionally recognized, it is not the case of same sex marriages, which is an aspect of social change and modernity. Thus, same sex marriage is controversial and even unacceptable by both the cultural and social values of some communities, as well as the laws of the land. A marriage is formalized through various ways. Formalization of a marriage is done, so that it becomes recognizable both by the social and customary values as well as by the law. Wedding is one such avenue of formalizing a marriage, which can be traditional, customary, religious or a civil wedding (Sheldon, 1980). Many communities have limited a marriage to two individuals of opposite sex, while some allows and recognizes polygamous marriages. Nevertheless, marriage, both as a state and an institution has symbolic significance. However, the symbolic significance of marriage varies from one community and society to the other, while at the same time; the communities share some symbolic significance. According to Symbolic Interactionism Theory, a family is a unit that consists of personalities who are in constant interaction, to find a meaning in each other (Charon, 2004). Thus, according to the theory, people interact with symbols, which entail words, gestures, pre-determined rules, and well-defined roles (Herbert, 1971). Thus, the theory postulates that humans develop symbols, which they apply in their interaction to give a meaning to the world. However, such meanings can only be discovered, through the interaction of such individuals with their environment as well as with other people. The meanings are subject to interpretations of the symbols involved, and dependent on the individuals involved. Thus, to understand the behavior of such individuals, then, there is a need to understand the symbols and interpret them, to give a meaning (Sheldon, 1980). According to the theory, the interaction of an individual with the wider society influences their behaviors, through a set of constraints and limitations applied based on the social norms and values (Herbert, 1971). Therefore, according to the theory, individuals develop their identities through interactions with other people, an aspect that makes a family become a social group. Marriage serves as a symbol of agreement and commitment. The union of two individuals in a marriage serves to indicate that they agree and have committed themselves to sharing and partner in all aspects of life (Herbert, 1971). Thus, through marriage, individuals commit themselves to living together, to share in the joys and the sorrows of each other, for the common benefit of each one of them and of the community at large. Since according to the Symbolic Interactionism Theory, a symbolic interaction between individuals serves to create a meaning, then, the interaction of two individuals through marriage serves to inform the society that the individuals have committed themselves to sharing all the aspects of their lives and to act jointly towards enhancing the wellbeing of each other. The indulgence of two people in a marriage serves to indicate that the individuals intend to share their goals and objectives in life together, while creating new ones that will eventually see them through their partnership (Sheldon, 1980). Through the institution of marriage, the individuals who are in it, portrays the need to share a future even with the diversity of their personalities. Marriage symbolizes that the individuals in it have bound themselves socially and legally to undertake all the necessary measures for ensuring the commitment they have made is long life, in that any breach of the commitment have a social and legal consequence on the individual who breaches the contractual agreement (Charon, 2004). Thus, the symbolism of marriage is a lifetime commitment that has all the obligations on the individuals to stay intact in their union. Regarding the religious perspective, marriage symbolizes the fulfillment of the covenant between Man and God. Since creation, man was obligated to live and rule the earth, while procreating and multiplying to fill it (Eshleman, 2009). Therefore, an act of individuals uniting in a marriage serves to indicate to the society that the individuals are in agreement with God’s law and are therefore obedient to fulfill his will. According to the religious doctrines, man is supposed to get married to have the right to indulge in intimate and sexual affairs with another, of the opposite sex, without the fear of committing sins. According to the provisions of religion, any indulgence in intimate and sexual activities by individuals who are not married is sin. Further, the indulgence of such individuals to sex and intimacy with those individuals that they are not married to is also a sin. Therefore, marriage symbolizes the desire of individuals to live and concur with the provisions of the religious doctrines and God’s will (Charon, 2004). Thus, the engagement of individuals in a marriage serves to communicate to the wider society that they have obtained the right to sex and intimacy with their partners, and the right to continue the process of procreation and societal perpetuation. Marriage serves to indicate that the individuals in it are ready to assist each other in the spiritual journey towards fulfilling Gods will and avoiding sin. Thus, as per religious doctrines, marriage symbolizes a holly institution with Godly approval. Marriage is a symbol of unity. The institution of marriage serves to indicate to the wider society that the individuals involved in it are united in flesh, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually (Herbert, 1971). The aspect of oneness created by the institution of marriage is meant to benefit one another and the larger society. Through the creation of unity, individuals in a marriage share their resources for the betterment of the institution they are creating, as well as for the other members of the family who will arise because of the marriage. Thus, the nature of unity created by marriage is that of lack of self-centeredness and individualism, while embracing the aspect of sharing and cooperation. The symbolic meaning of unity in marriage is that the contractual relationship entered into by the individuals goes beyond time limits; an indication that it is not bound to expire. The unity also serves to mean that the individuals in this relationships goes beyond their line of duties, by doing all it takes to ensure that they safeguard the well fare of each other and of their relationship (Eshleman, 2009). A marriage symbolizes a union that has no specified roles and responsibilities of the individuals involved, since anyone in the union can undertake any duty and role regardless of its nature, if it is in the best interest of the individuals involved. Thus, marriage is a symbol of consent and symbiotic union, where both parties benefits from equally. Another symbolic significance of marriage is companionship and ownership. Marriage is the only contractual basis that occurs between parties, indicating the ownership of one individual by the other (Herbert, 1971). In marriage, the husband has the right over the wife’s body and so does the wife. It indicates a relationship where the affairs of one person can be determined by the other, or a union where one individual extends the rights over themselves to another party. The power of this ownership, as a symbol of marriage is underlined in the commitment of all the individuals involved to remain faithful to each other. This way, the relationship works based on trust, whereby, if one person fails to prove their loyalty and faithfulness to the other, then a marriage is no more, and the parties involved can separate (Charon, 2004). The symbolic significance of marriage is a message, the individuals getting married sends to the society, that they are comfortable with each other and that they have consented the control over them by their partners. It symbolizes the acceptance of an individual to be the caretaker of the other, and to keep them company at all times, without any failure to be there whenever needed, as long as both are still alive. This ownership and companionship goes beyond the bonds of the formal documents issued, to entail the willingness to maintain and sustain the good relationship with each other, without being duty bound by the formality of the social or legal backing. Marriage symbolizes love between the individuals involved. It indicates the intention by the individuals involved to raise a family out of their union. The commitment to love each other goes beyond the passion and emotions, to include decisions and reasons, which make people, stick together, even when their passion and emotions dictates otherwise (Herbert, 1971). Any ceremony to formalize a marriage may it be wedding or any other event indicates that the individuals involved have feelings for each other that requires them to remain together. Marriage symbolizes an opportunity for individuals to grow both as individuals and together, through openly sharing the resources, ideas and combining their thoughts and minds (Charon, 2004). Another symbolic significance of marriage is the invitation of a stranger to become a family member and a part of a community, which the individual did not belong to initially. The symbolism of love in marriage also serves to represent another relationship, that of man and God. The essence of man living is to be a family with God and share in the life that God has. This requirement extends to the individuals in a marriage who are supposed to extend and share their lives with their partners (Sheldon, 1980). Thus, marriage calls for a different thinking in the individuals involved, that of being inseparable and that of belonging to a large assembly of procreators and perpetuators of life. It thus indicates the fulfillment of Gods laws, serving to make it a holy institution. References Charon, Joel M. (2004). Symbolic Interactionism: An Introduction, an Interpretation, an Integration. Boston: Pearson. Eshleman, J. R, and Bulcroft, R. A. (2009). The Family (12th Ed.). Wayne State University. Herbert, B. (1971). Social Problems as Collective Behavior. Journal of Economics and Sociology. Sheldon, S. (1980). Symbolic Interactionism: A Social Structural Version. Menlo Park, CA. Read More