History of Marriage

Ancient Hebrew  usually arranged—between patriarchal extended families  generally involved a bride price to the bride’s family to compensate for the loss of the daughter’s work contributions  bride had a dowry from her family to set up her new household and gained dower rights to obtain property from her husband for her support if he ended the marriage  the purpose of the marriage was to produce sons (heirs)  relationships were affectionate but not “love”  thus, marriage was primarily an economic arrangement with provisions made for the female if she could not reproduce

Ancient Rome  like Hebrew marriages—patriarchy was the basis for marriage with an emphasis on producing heirs  strictly monogamous  women had more power since men were away so much fighting battles  in the upper class, marriage was a time to attain riches and political advantage—  divorce became common—thus disorganization and instability became a focus for the Early Christian apostles

Middle Ages  marriage system was informal, loosely organized, and casually enforced  then, inheritance necessitated the regulation of marriage and legitimacy of children  the Christian Church began to regulate marriage, decreeing it to be a sacrament that required witnesses and a public record

Protestant Reformation  marriage considered the ideal state  romantic love, then, the basis for mate selection and marriage  still important from an economic point but free choice preferred

First Nations  many First Nations families were matrilineal and matrilocal to maintain stability while men were away hunting—therefore women had more status than men  marriages usually arranged becoming official when a couple had a child— marriages were expected to be enduring

European Contact  marriage à la façon du pays—temporary marriage contracts “in the style of the country” between French and English fur traders or soldiers whose stay in Canada might be short and First Nations women since few European women were available  marriage contracts put in place by 1821 by the Hudson’s Bay Company to assure that wives and children would be looked after even if a fur trader or soldier returned to Europe  this marriage practice declined when French women were encouraged to come to Canada to marry French male colonists to increase the French population of New France  marriage existed primarily for the provision of heirs  families were primarily units of economic production

19th-Century Canada  marriages somewhat arranged in that they were subjected to the approval of her parents although, by the end of the 19th century it was free choice  ceremonies tended to correspond to agricultural cycles—June (after planting) and September (after harvest)  averages ages: females 26 and males 29  divorce was rare—marriage regarded as a sacrament by the Catholic Church and a sacred institution by Protestants.  marriage largely satisfied the agricultural communities, supporting large work forces with children and maintaining division of labour in homes and families

20th-Century Canada  marriage ages continued to be later largely due to economic hardship of the 1930s, which led many couples to postpone their weddings  after World War II, marriage and traditional roles of men and women were seen as a way to return to a normal life;  ages of marriage reduced—average age 25 for males and 22 for females  marriage considered the natural thing to do and an achievement of adult status  when women married, they often gave up jobs to support the traditional roles of women in the home; husbands were expected to earn enough to support the family  in the latter half of the 20th century, the influence of immigration highly impacted on marriage expectations, rituals, and practices; the division of labour changed with both men and women engaged in careers and work; more egalitarian relationships ensued

Contemporary Canada  marriage still popular, although other practices entering into relationships, such as cohabitation and same-sex arrangements  divorce accepted  ages extended to late 20s  marriage still regarded as a primary social group and the foundation for the family

Conclusion  Marriage is still popular and the most basic unit of Canadian society.  It is the provision for supporting and maintaining children.  Ages of first marriage have fluctuated largely due to economic aspects.  Where the church was once the regulator of marriage, other practices, including cohabitation, have emerged.  Divorce has become legalized and easier to obtain.  Originally, marriages were arranged to promote economic stability—while today many marriages are based on romantic love.  Prospective grooms still seek permission from the bride’s parent; this is usually an informal formality.  Arranged marriages are still a part of Canadian society due to increasing immigration trends