Marriage Is a Legal Contract.Because
of the economic component of marriage,
every state has a vested interest in creating
laws to govern who,when,and under
what circumstances people may marry.
Every wedding includes a representative
of the state who officiates and affirms the
legality of the marriage.When clergy
officiate at weddings,they act as
representatives of both the church and the
state.Thus,they declare the marriage to
be blessed by God and sanctioned by the
state.
Each state makes its own laws
governing marriage,such as age of
consent,necessary medical exams,
marriage license requirements,and what
constitutes common-law marriage.These
laws for all 50 states can be accessed at:
http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/table_
marriage.Likewise,each state makes laws
to govern how marriages are dissolved,
including establishing procedures for
dividing property and ascertaining
custody of the children.A summary of
the divorce laws for each state is also
available at this website.
Types of Marriage
Historically,various cultures have
defined marriage differently.These
distinct definitions are important both
for our understanding,and because they
carry family policy implications.For
instance,we still sometimes hear the
phrase“born out of wedlock.”This may
be accurate as it relates to a Christian
definition of marriage and family.It is
inaccurate as it relates to a single mother
and child as a type of nuclear family,
including the policy and financial
considerations of health care,pensions,
and tax advantages.Furthermore,in
terms of policy,same-sex couples are not
recognized in most states and,therefore,
receive none of these policy and financial
advantages.
Monogamy.Most countriestoday
consider monogamy tobethecultural
norm.Monogamymeansa person may be
marriedtoonly onespouseat a time.This
istruein theUnitedStates,whereall
statesmandatemaritalmonogamy.Some
peoplein religioussectsor cultsmay claim
tohavemorethan onespouse,but in the
UnitedStatesonly oneof thesespousesis
recognizedby law.Even theMormon
Church nolonger allowsmultiplespouses.
Monogamy is deeply rooted in Judeo-
Christian tradition.Culture has also
increased the incidence of monogamy.
Many modern cultures have passed laws
making monogamy the only legal form of
marriage,which reflects the spread of
Christianity.The scriptural basis for this
tradition clarifies that,since God created
only one spouse forAdam (Genesis 2) and
admonishes church leaders to be the
husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2,12),
God intends marriage to be monogamous.Why Marriage and Family?