Marriage is a sacred institution, although it is eroding in many countries as the values are changing towards liberalism. Many young people prefer to live together, but finally, at some stage of their relationship, they decide to marry. In the West, despite liberal values, people still marry and many young brides wait eagerly for the wedding day. In the East, it is much of social compulsion, although now in the urban areas, many women are choosing to remain single for various reasons.
In some cultures, a man can have more than one wife. In fact, in ancient times polyandry, in other words, a woman having more than one husband was allowed. Polygamy, that is a man having more than one wife was also accepted.
In the East, marriages are arranged mostly. The parents decide when their son or daughter should marry and accordingly find a suitable match for him or her. In other words, parents ensure that their children marry at the appropriate age. They feel responsible for settling them in their lives.
Usually, couples like to have children as they would like to leave behind their memories through them. They feel children would reflect their culture and tradition.
Why marriage is necessary?
Marriage is a compulsion in many countries, although some young people are questioning its very existence. Why do people marry?
1. Have children – According to social customs a child must be born out of marriage. An illegitimate child will find it difficult to survive in the harsh world. The need to have children is a primary reason for young couples to marry. In many countries, particularly in the East, society does not accept live-in arrangements. Some of the reasons why marriage or being in a marriage is better for children –
- Children raised by 2 parents are more successful – Yes, this is true that children raised by married couples do better in their life than children raised by single parents. The absence of both parents nurtures the family and its absence makes it unstable. One of the primary reasons for this is family with both parents on average have a better family income than single.
- Parenting Skills – Married households have good parenting skills as both parents take responsibility for their kids and any wrongdoing of one could be corrected by another partner.
2. Sex – The need to have sex is another reason why people marry. In the West of course pre-marital sex is accepted, but in the East, couples are expected to marry before having sexual relations. Marriage is meant for satisfying emotional and physical needs. Things are changing fast and time is not far when we have to remove this reason from the list.
3. Bonding – Bonding together is another reason. Couples would like to remain together as they have shared much of their inner feelings and thoughts. Married couples share their difficulties and innermost fears and this brings them very close emotionally. Since marriage is bound legally, couples cannot break off their marriage so easily.
4. Loyalty – Loyalty is expected in a relationship. Marriage strengthens such feelings. Both the husband and wife are expected to remain loyal to each other. In case there is no legal binding, then one of the couples can build up a friendship with somebody else. In marriage, this is not possible, as it could result in a divorce. Infidelity is often a major cause for a marriage breaking down.
5. Companionship – People marry for companionship. A married person is less lonely as compared to a single person. In fact, a single person has more psychological problems as compared to married people and many end up leading stressful life without goals primarily in the West. In the East, it is very difficult for a single woman to carry on with her life. Society lays down many strictures and usually, her character is questioned at times.
In Hollywood actors marry quite often and the divorce rate is high. Marriage is more of a feeling of togetherness than a commitment among them. They marry to have children and also divorce in case they are not compatible with each other. Among other sections of the society, both in the East as well as West, marriage is more of a commitment than a pastime. In such cases, marriages last longer or never break down at all.
Marriage is evergreen no doubt, despite changing social mores!