Chapter 19 Marriage Customs and Laws Objectives Explain how marriage has evolved over the ages. Determine the legal requirements of marriage. Describe what types of marriage are prohibited. Explain why marriage laws are needed.

influenced by the social and economic conditions of a time and region Marriage Customs developed gradually influenced by the social and economic conditions of a time and region

Marriage Customs The origin of marriage is difficult to establish—historians have determined that marriage has evolved through three main stages over the centuries: marriage by capture marriage by purchase marriage for love

Marriage Customs: Marriage by Capture earliest type of union tribesmen invade another tribe to kidnap a woman who will be a good slave and worker

Marriage Customs: Marriage by Purchase girls were under the care and authority of their father or closet male relative the prospective husband or the elders in his family usually asked the father for the daughter seeking the father’s approval and paying his “demanding price” betrothal: an agreement to marry Note: the mother’s approval not necessary the transfer took place in public so everyone knew the girl belonged to her husband following the father’s consent, the families of the bride and groom ate together, and the groom took the bride home

Marriage Customs: Marriage for Love evolved during the eighteenth century the colonists brought this way of thinking to America when they settled here is standard in the United States, some culture do not share this custom

Marriage Laws Marriage laws have also developed slowly and differ from state to state monogamy: one wife and one husband bigamy: when a person who is still legally married enters into another marriage polygamy: a husband and two or more wives Marriage Age Most states have two age requirements for marriage: One at which young people may marry with parental consent One without parental consent

Marriage Laws Legal Requirements for Marriage mutual consent—no valid marriage exists if the man or woman is against the idea marriage invalid if one partner is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or misunderstands the seriousness of the ceremony Three Acts Necessary for a Legal Marriage marriage license ceremony must be performed by an authorized official marriage must be reported to the state department in charge of keeping records

Physical Requirements Marriage Laws Physical Requirements some states require a blood test Documents license marriage licenses protect property rights, inheritances and rights of children prenuptial agreement: contract drawn up by a couple before they are married to handle their property and income should they ever go their separate ways Waiting Period takes place either between the application and the receipt of the license or between the receipt of the license and the ceremony

Marriage Ceremonies and Officials Marriage Laws Marriage Ceremonies and Officials civil: type of ceremony where a couple is married in a courtroom or some location that has no religious connection religious ceremonies vary according to specific traditions followed in each religion Common Law Marriages couples consider themselves married even though legal requirements have not been met Prohibited Marriages consanguinity: marriages between blood relatives affinity: relationship by marriage

Marriage Laws Living Together Changing Your Name cohabitate few legal considerations under the law Changing Your Name take the last name of the husband keep own name combine last name with hyphen Discuss: Why do some couples choose to live together instead of marrying? What are the pros and cons?

The Need for Marriage Laws Laws were written for specific reasons: To give certain protections to children