Created for kinship, marriage is described as a legal contract or social union between a man and a woman. Perceived to be an institution, it is seen as an interpersonal relationship that is both sexual and intimate. Another term for marriage is matrimony. The common ritual that is performed when two people get married is called a wedding. People enter marriage for various reasons. There is a legal factor to it. Moreover, there is also the social and emotional aspect to it. It is seen as something economical as well. And more importantly, it is rooted in spirituality and religion.
Although some marriages are arranged, some people see marriage as the starting point to build a family and procreation. Marriage is at the top of the hierarchy while the family unit as a legal establishment and protection of the children in a legal sense fall under it. People also see marriage as a commitment which is recognized by the public. Even if marriage is a common practice in various countries around the world, there are still unique practices in each culture. There is a certain complexity to marriage since two people are legally and economically bounded to one another. There are two kinds of marriages: civil and Church.
The core of marriages is found in relationships, which is essentially a bond between two people. Relationships may be romantic or platonic. But in the context of marriage, relationships are grounded on trust and openness. Especially since marriage entails a lot of compromises and work, the relationship between the husband and wife need to be strong and unwavering. Traditionally, the husband is seen as the patriarch while the wife is perceived to be the one who takes care of the house and the kids. However, times have changed now and the roles aren’t as clear cut as they used to be.
Nowadays, there are stay-at-home fathers who tend to all the needs of the children and the house. While on the other hand, there are wives that are the sole breadwinners and are out working nine to five jobs. The rise of women empowerment has contributed to the escalation of more and more women wanting to be independent in every sense of the word. Some fathers have realized that they actually like being domesticated and taking on the motherly role. Nevertheless, relationships and marriage come hand in hand. It is truly a juggling act since both husband and wife become responsible for each other.
The difficulty with marriage and relationships lies in the daily grind and emotional needs of each individual. There is the responsibility to make enough money to provide for the family. However, at the same time, there is also the need to provide emotional security to one another. Unfortunately though, the institution of marriage has been tainted and corrupted. Some marriages exist purely for financial benefit. Others exist due to arranged marriages fixed by their parents. And there are even those that exist to be able to obtain citizenships. Marriage and relationships are complex and multi-layered yet it has a long history that is still progressing as we speak.
matrimony
Understanding the Complexities of Marriage and Relationships
