Value on Marriage - Essay Example

Value on Marriage Value on Marriage Introduction The term marriage refers to a legal or formalized process of joining a man and a woman. The process entails either a mutual understanding agreement or a provision by jurisdiction of the two parties. Marriages agreements have significant changes over the recent years in the world history. A historical reference of the context of marriage entailed an arrangement of parties to join a man and woman. The initial setting marriage institution in the early century entailed simple agreements with the intention to enhance survival between the family members. The onset of the 19th century marked a significant change in the dimension of marriages and the related agreements. The changing elements of marriage features are a significant element of discussion. The new trends evoke mixed reaction in the contemporary societies with various perspectives on the matter. As such, various categories emerge in the definition of marriage institutions. A critical analysis of the recent marriage trends greatly influence moral values influencing differently on societal acceptance and tradition. Marriage significant changes a community setting and self-identity. Various theories elaborate the changing aspects of marriage agreements and associated values. Several opinions relate to heated debates on the changing marriage values with divergent views. The diversity of marriage values originates from various elements of interactions between members of a given community. This paper will attempt to justify the changing elements of marriages within the contemporary society. A further discussion will focus on the reasons behind the changing trend. Additionally, this paper will discuss the need to improve the changing trend and associated impacts. The history of marriage The fundamental block of a given society originates from successful marriages that result in a family setting. Marriage has significantly evolved over the last years to absorb various definitions. The basic marriage pillar started with a definition of a single man and a single woman in the begging of creation in the Garden of Eden. The ancient communities viewed marriage a special unity between a husband and a wife. The initial establishments of the relationship survived throughout the early history. The early laws also protected the same institution and bond between a husband and wife. Marriage between families served as an important way of protecting family wealth. The definition of marriage in the early centuries allowed marriage between aunties and uncles. A development in the marriage laws allowed matrimony between tribesmen (Lewis, 2013). This development prohibited marriage between various cultures and communities. The context of tribesmen marriages served as a provisional legal agreement between family members and societies. A later development in the culture of marriage included parent’s decision of marriage. This element rendered a wife as a family property that benefited a family household. Consequences of cheating or disloyalty mandated public execution of the victim or false lover. Marriage transition included the use of churches as a defining factor of bonds between a man and woman. The 19th century marked the onset of people avoiding the church due to the aspect of civilization. As results, couples requested civil authorities as an alternative. The engagement of civil authorities marked a new definition for the marriage institution within various communities. A marriage license constituted the societal reshaping of marriage values and traditions. Inheritance defined marriage as the off springs of a family had the right to own property in cases of death. The changing elements of marriages in the contemporary society revolve around business contracts rather than eternal covenants between partners. The modern aspect of a marriage agreement violates the definition of marriage values, customs, and traditions. A recent development in marriage focuses on business and sexual agreements without considerations of future expectations. Types of marriages The discussion on marriage requires a deeper understanding of marriage features and existing categories. The various types of marriage are significant for a social institution that relate to a community setting. Marriage is a cornerstone pillar of the society that has existed in the early human civilization period. The features of marriage include a universal institution that recognized in the world. The term marriage is similar across various populations of the world and different cultures and tradition. The institution is also a permanent bond that exists between a man and a woman formally termed as husband and a wife. Marriage is a fulfillment of the social aspect, the psychological element, and religious purpose. The foundations of marriage agreements require social approval for validation between two parties. As such, marriage is an institution that defines the relationship between parties of opposite genders (Wilcoxon, Remley & Gladding, 2013).The fundamental pillars of marriages include mutual rights and execution of allocated obligations. As such, defining marriage is on the context of ceremonies to signify an acknowledgment of the rite of passage. Additionally, marriage regulates the sexual relationship between a man and woman. The analysis of marriage in the above concepts explains the changing values within the contemporary society. The different view on the approach to marriage explains the need for adults to redefine marriage values on the context of mutual understanding. The development of marriage as a social institution attains various levels within the existing communities of the world. Marriage categories vary from one society to another based on customs and level of civilizations. A significant category of marriage is on the number of spouses or mates. Monogamy is a common type of marriages extended to the civilized societies as a rationalized institution. The principal of monogamy defines a single woman to a single man bound by agreement. Polygamy is a complicated category that entails a single man with very many wives at the same time (Demartini, 2013). The women in a polygamous marriage have different households where the man visits sequential. Polygamy has a further division of polyandry and an endogamy setting. The polyandry entails a single woman marrying several men who visit on different occasions. The endogamy type of marriage also means a group marriage with various partners or spouses. The principals of endogamy entail the marriage of a group of women by a group of man within the same duration. Exogamy is similarly the opposite of an endogamy marriage where a person may marry away from the group setting. The various marriage setting explains the changing traditions of the matrimonial institution. The concepts within the defined categories target to achieve certain objectives. The dominating factor for the various engagements target love within a family as the main ideology. Voluntary affection is the drive behind marriage institutions of varied natures. The failure to achieve such goals results in changing customs of marriages within the contemporary society. Conclusion The basics of a marriage comprise of a given set of values enacted through the same institution. Marriage values define the family setting based on understanding and a fulfillment of the family responsibilities. The success of a marriage revolves around basic communication focusing two adults in this case. A review of the contemporary society indicates rising numbers of single parents and fostered children. The arguments around such circumstances explain the need for effective communication skills within a given family or marriage. Respect is a significant marriage value that deteriorates over the years due to spouse misunderstanding. The decreasing index in marriage stability among the world’s community explains the need for tolerance and honesty among the couples. As such, spouse acceptance is a positive approach towards resolving the matter. The decision to redefine marriage within the contemporary society originates from exercising commitment and devotion within the given relationship. The modern society should understand the pillar of marriage and respect the institution without further argument. The success of a marriage relies on emphasizing marriage values largely. The family bond develops rapidly through a mutual understanding between the two spouses who are adults as described in the marriage institution. References Lewis, J. M. (2013). Marriage A Search For Healing. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Demartini, J. F. (2013). The values factor: The secret to creating an inspired and fulfilling life. Wilcoxon, S. A., Remley, T. P., & Gladding, S. T. (2013). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in the practice of marriage and family therapy. Read More