1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

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