Discover The Institution Of Marriage

Most ancient societies needed a secure environment for the perpetuation of the species. The institution of marriage handled these needs.Throughout the centuries, the institution of marriage has been changing and continues to change. It is very hard to be able to establish a true date on the first marriages although the Old Testament in the Bible does mention a little about marriage as it was considered a family and household affair.
Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. Marriage as a contract between a man and a woman has existed since ancient times.In most societies, marriage is established through a contractual procedure, generally with some sort of religious sanction. In Western societies the contract of marriage is often regarded as a religious sacrament
Over time, marriage has changed and evolved in interesting ways. There are many types of marriage recognized throughout history and the world today.So, this social institution has many forms.The most common form of marriage unites a man and a woman as husband and wife, often for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family.There are oher forms of marriage too and marriage customs vary from one culture to another.
Levirate marriage is an another type of marriage in which a woman marries one of her husband's brothers after her husband's death, if there were no children, in order to continue the line of the dead husband.Levirate marriage is mentioned in the Bible as a standard marriage regulation among the ancient Hebrews.We still can find this form of marriage in Southern African countries, where women have the obligation to continue this tradition.
Sororate marriage, is an ancient form of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual relations with the younger sisters of his wife, usually after the death of his wife, or once his wife has become infertile.We still find it today, in lots of African countries.
From the beginning, through the generations, even to this day, monogamy, polygamy and celibacy are known forms of marital status.Monogamy is the custom or condition of having only one mate in a relationship, thus forming a couple. The word monogamy comes from the Greek word monos, which means one or alone, and the Greek word gamos, which means marriage or union.Monogamy, the union of two people, is thought to be the prototype of human marriage and its most widely accepted form Monogamy is generally divided into two different types; strict monogamy where a person is allowed only one wife per lifetime and serial monogamy where people can be married to more than one person - just not at the same time.
There are other forms of marriage which are classed under polygamy; these are the so-called polygyny and polyandry.Polygamy is any marriage which involves more than two people.It used to be common in the ancient world and was supported in most religions.polygyny refers to the practice of having more than one wife at the same time.polyandry means forming a sexual union with more than one male.The form of polyandry in which two (or more) brothers marry the same woman is known as fraternal polyandry.
On the other hand there are ancient forms of marriage, which, nowadays, are very rare.We are talking about endogamy and exogamy.Endogamy is the practice of tribal groups limiting marriage to members of the group and prohibiting marriage outside the group.Exogamy is the practice of tribal groups which limit marriage only to members outside of the tribal group and prohibit marriage inside the group.
Unfortunately, marriage is a word that is becoming smaller and smaller in the America. Many people chose to live together instead of enter into the bounds of matrimony. But let`s face the truth...Don`t be afraid! Marriage is a sign of commitment, is the promise of a secure future.In addition, even if you are being happily married, never forget that you get what you give, when you give better, you get better.

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