Marriage

Marriage, union between man and woman for the purpose of cohabitation and usually also for raising children. The modern trend is towards monogamy, union between one man and one woman only. Many societies still permit polygamy, but it is increasingly rare. Forms of group and communal marriage have been tried from time to time, though with little success or social acceptance.

Marriage is in some senses a contract, often involving property and in some societies a dowry. In U.S. law marriage creates special ownership rights in marital property. It is still also a religious matter in many countries; marriage is a minor sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church.

Most societies limit marriage in certain ways. It is forbidden in most countries between partners who have too close a blood relationship, although the degree permissible varies widely among countries, religions, and U.S. states. In U.S. common law a purported marriage involving bigamy is void; other conditions, such as non-consummation, render marriage void or voidable, generally through the courts. A marriage is also void if not carried out in the prescribed legal form, although in some states common law marriage may arise after long cohabitation without any formality. Most societies have some provision for divorce. Marriages in the U.S. are performed either by a civil authority or by a religious ceremony with civil authorization; the ceremonies of most denominations are so authorized in most states. In general, a marriage valid in one state is recognized in the others. Some states require banns to be posted.