Definition: A question we often receive is "What is marriage?" In order to define marriage, you need to look at not only the historical period, but also on the geographical location and the cultural traditions of the individuals involved in the marriage relationship.
A general definition of marriage is that it is a social contract between two individuals that unites their lives legally, economically and emotionally.
Being married also gives legitimacy to sexual relations within the marriage.
Forms of marriage include:- arranged marriage
- Boston marriage
- celestial marriage
- civil marriage
- companionate marriage
- forced marriage
- interfaith marriage
- interracial marriage
- intra-faith marriage
- left handed marriage
- May-December marriage
- morganatic marriage
- monogamy
- open marriage
- polygamy
- polygyny
- polyandry
- pragmatic
- romantic marriage
- same-sex marriage
- soul mate marriage
Common Misspellings: marraige
Examples:
President George W. Bush: "What I do support is a notion that marriage is between a man and a woman."Source: "Bush uncertain about gay marriage ban."CNN.com. 7/2/2003.
