Nancy RyanMarriage is an intricate institution that is highly subjective and culturally important, so there are different types of marriages in different societies. While most people have heard about monogamous unions, there exist numerous other types which capture various cultural practices, legal frameworks and even individual choices.
These include polygamous marriages whereby one person has got several spouses on one hand; group marriages with multiple partners attached to each other on the other; plus novel combos created specifically for unique requirements and ideologies. The myriad kinds of marriages reveal how human beings relate to one another and celebrate their relationships in different parts of the globe thus revealing a vast web of human experiences as well as social norms.
What is Marriage?
If you want to know what is marriage, you are at the right page. Marriage is a legally and culturally recognized union between individuals, typically formalized through a ceremony or legal process. Traditionally, it has been seen as a commitment between two people to share their lives, responsibilities and resources. The concept of marriage varies significantly across cultures and historical periods encompassing a range of practices and beliefs.
In many societies, marriage is not only a personal commitment but also a social institution that often involves legal rights and obligations such as inheritance, taxation and custody of children. It can serve various functions including providing for emotional support, facilitating economic stability as well as ensuring the continuation of family lineage.
Marriage can take different forms including monogamous, polygamous and polyamorous relationships, some with their own norms and practices. In some cultures weddings are arranged by families or communities while in others it is based on romantic love and individual choice. The constantly changing nature of marriage reflects wider societal transformations such as changes in gender roles, legal recognition of same-sex unions as well as diverse family structures.
In a nutshell, marriage remains a fundamental aspect of human life reflecting both personal desires coupled with societal values at large.
Related Reading: What Is Marriage? Definition, Purpose & How to Work
21 Different Types of Marriages
Here’s an explanation of different types of marriages:
Monogamous Marriage
It is one of the types of marriage, typified by the fact that both partners commit themselves solely to one another. The most common type is frequently recognized in a legal sense by societies.
Polygamous Marriage
It denotes a situation where an individual has several spouses at the same time. In polygamous marriages, there are basically two main classifications – polygyny (one man, and many women) as well as polyandry (one woman married to multiple men).
Group Marriage
It could also be referred to as polyamorous marriage whereby several people build an individual and collective union of marriages with everyone considered married in equal measure.`
Arranged Marriage
It involves families or matchmakers selecting partners according to social, economic, and cultural criteria, among others. It is part of South Asian communities.
Love Marriage
It happens when spouses marry out of love rather than family arrangements. This kind is common across many western countries.
Civil Marriage
It may be defined as a recognized union by law conducted through a civil authority including judges or registrars instead of clergymen; it confers most of the legal rights and obligations you may have towards one another.
Religious Marriage
Carried out in accordance with the beliefs and customs held sacred by faith communities. Its legal status varies across jurisdictions; thus it could have either a legally binding or a non-legally binding effect.
Common-Law Marriage
A partnership where two people cohabit for an extended period expecting others to recognize them as husband and wife without going through the official wedding that is laden with much cost or cumbersome documentation.
Same-Sex Marriage
Legally recognized unions between individuals of the same gender, which have gained recognition in many countries due to changing social values.
Interfaith Marriage
A union in which a couple hails from different religious backgrounds; sometimes requiring both parties to negotiate on commonly held practices and values.
Interracial Marriage
A marriage involving individuals from different racial or ethnic backgrounds, which confronts and broadens social norms around race and ethnicity.
Temporary Marriage
What is known as “mut’ah” in some Islamic traditions, is an agreement where people enter into marriage for a predetermined length of time. It may be common in certain cultures but less accepted legally.
Weekend Marriage
A marriage in which the partners live apart throughout the week and come together during weekends for various reasons related to work or personal ones.
Open Marriage
A marital arrangement in which sexual or romantic relationships outside of the marriage are allowed with honesty and mutual consent.
Trial Marriage
Living together before marriage is an experimentation to determine whether one is compatible with one’s intended partner. It is typically a type used to evaluate long-term compatibility.
Polyamorous Marriage
This involves having several lovers while all concerned know about it and are okay with it. It entails being transparent and negotiating frequently.
Traditional Marriage
This marriage follows cultural traditions or customs specific to certain ethnic groups over time. They also entail unique cultural rituals or ceremonies associated with them.
Elderly Marriage
This type of unions happened after various births at a time when those getting such unions had already been married before or attempting to find someone to spend time with in their twilight times.
Proxy Marriage
In this ceremony, the couples are represented by proxy, such as in cases where they are members of the military or in certain isolated areas.
Marriage For Economic Reasons
The reason for marrying could be economic stability, social positioning or financial gains rather than love.
Companionate Marriage
It is a form of marriage based on companionship and mutual respect with emphasis given to personal satisfaction and common interest as opposed to traditional relationship roles or expectations.
Related Reading: Why Is Marriage Important? 12 Reasons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the 3 C’s of Marriage?
Communicating well, committing to each other, and being willing to compromise: these are the three things we need so that we can have a good marriage.
What Is Stonewalling in a Marriage?
In marriage, stonewalling is a term used to refer to when one partner pulls away or becomes withdrawn thereby avoiding communication and conflict leading to lack of resolution or connection between them.
Conclusion
Focusing on different forms of marriages together with their respective dynamics and challenges helps one understand that good communication, commitment, ability to compromise are very important in sustaining a happy marriage. These are crucial elements for fostering a marriage that is not only satisfying but also strong.
Sources
- Sternberg RJ, Sternberg K. The New Psychology of Love. Cambridge University Press.
- Crabtree SA, Harris SM, Bell NK, Allen S, Roberts KM. The roles of love and happiness in divorce decision making. J Divorce Remarriage. 2018;59(8):601-615. doi:10.1080/10502556.2018.1466254
