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 Types of Marriages in Our Society and Their Influences Bold text

Standard Marriage: This is when a male and female choose to become legally married, by having a wedding. Vows are exchanged at the wedding, followed usually by festivities. Couples in the type of marriage may choose to have children or adopt children. Sometime, they choose to simply not have any children. When a standard marriage encounters too many problems that are unable to be solved, it usually ends in divorce or the separation permanently of the couple. In standard marriages, men are often referred to as the dominant sex as they are usually stronger physically, however in te present day women are given more equality and rights they never had before. The concept of a standard marriage is very old and dates back to medieval times. Marriage is derived through the social science of Anthropology, since often, marriages occur between individuals of the same race or culture- except in the case of interracial marriages.

Common Law Marriage: This is when two people have lived together for over 10 years and passed strict legal definitions. Common law marriages can be between a man and woman, woman and woman or two men. although no wedding takes place, once you have lived with someone for at least 10 years, under the same roof, you are technically labeled a common law marriage. Individuals in this situation may or may not have children. This concept dates back to post WW1 and WW2, when many war widows would end up living with a new man, yet feeling it to be unethical to re-marry. Once they had lived together for at least 10 years, the new couple would be considered common-law married.

Arranged Marriages: These are when a couple is set us, based on whom their parents want them to marry. This often occurs in middle-eastern cultures, as that is the only region where this custom is still predominant. Parents match up their children with a partner who they feel will support the future family well financially and emotionally, and with a partner who shares the same ideas religiously. Often, these marriages lack in physical attraction and the couples tend to feel pressured and unhappy- leading to either a divorce where permitted or a very unhappy and un healthy relationship. The focus of these relationships, by the parents, is to create a large family, that can be brought up with the 'correct" moral values and opinions. Arranged marriages often have many children, even if the means to support the family, are not there. This concept is still very predominant in the middle-east and ranges back to the times of kings and royalty- in order to keep royal blood pure and untainted.

Same-Sex Marriages: These are marriages between individuals of the same sex. If it is two men, they are considered gay, and if it is two females, they are considered lesbians. Gay marriages have recently become legal in Canada and certain states in the United States, such as California. Before they were legal, may couples kept their relations private and used the common law system in order to become married. Same sex marriages are often very successful as both partners are understanding after being discriminated against in the past, and both very capable of loving one another deeply. Same sex couples have the option to adopt if they wish to have children.

Second Marriages: Second marriages or multiple marriages, occur after a couple decides to divorce and then the single individuals find a new love and re-marry. Second marriages often occur when individuals are older, as they occur after first marriages fail- meaning couples can even re marry when they are 60 years old! Second marriages often come with children from the previous marriage, yet some couples choose to have more children with their new spouse, giving their older children, half siblings. If the couple doesn't have more children, the initial children from their first marriages relate to one another as "step siblings". Second marriages have become a great way for individuals to find love and happiness again after an un successful marriage, however historically and in some cultures, divorces is not allowed and therefore some unhappy couples remain together for life and don't have the option for a second marriage. When marriages fail, there are options before divorce, such as counselling, where partners can share their issues in a non-threatning and honest environment.

Sources:

"Marriage." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 1968. Retrieved May 03, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3045000773.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "marriage licences." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 03, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-marriagelicences.html

"Marriage Counseling." Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. 2001. Retrieved May 03, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406000403.html