Marriage and American Cultural Assumptions

Paper Summary:

This essay compares the various ways in which American marriage ideals have resulted in the stigmatization of non-traditional types of marriage such as cousin, polygamous and homosexual. It emphasizes the roles of religion and reproduction in determining which types of marriages are considered acceptable. The writer concludes that while American has had a rapid push towards civilization and culture, this has led to the stigmatization of American citizens who are simply pursuing marriage in nonstandard ways.

From the Paper:

"Morality and evolution have come together to form American cultural assumptions about marriage. Consequently, both American society and law have banned and stigmatized cousin, polygamous and gay marriages. Because many people in America regard marriage as a sacred institution comprising the basis of civilized society, an inability to reach this status has serious social and legal consequences. American cultural assumptions have limited the purpose of marriage to one particular pattern of reproduction, stigmatizing people with other beliefs or practices."

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