Running Head: CHAPTER 7 SUMMARY 1 Marriage; From a Social Institution to a Personal Relationship Institutional Affiliations Date CHAPTER 7 SUMMARY 2 Marriage; From a Social Institution to a Personal Relationship The chapter mainly discusses marriage as a social institution and thus considers the Western perspective on marriage from a global viewpoint. Accordingly, Lamanna, Riedmann & Stewart, (2014) suggests that most societies, especially Western communities, regard marriage to be a permanent institution marked by sexual exclusivity. Soon after, the meaning of marriage would evolve. By the 1700's and 1800's, marriage was not only based on its permanence and sexual exclusivity but love was made a prominent factor. The implication was a revolution of sorts considering the conservative societies that maintained a tradition of arranged marriages especially among royalties and wealthy families. However, over the past two or three centuries, marriage has continually been reduced from a strongly influential social institution to a private relationship instead. Today, the nature and scope of marriage has transformed significantly such that same sex marriage is now legal, number of divorces is higher now than ever, while trans ethnic, racial and nationality intermarriages are also advancing. The focus on love and the manner in which the couple decide to live their lives has removed marriage from the normal institution it was to a private arrangement regulated according to terms ...
Purchase document to see full attachment