Marriage

Research Paper # 117928

Anthropology
Gender and Sexuality > Sexual Politics
Hot Topics > Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage

This research paper discusses the institution of marriage, its history, and the traditions, customs, practices, and legal issues associated with it, around the world.

2,152 words () | 9 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the history of the institution of marriage and its recent developments in American culture. The paper also defines and describes variations and different practices of marriage throughout the world. Many of these are considered taboo by American society, including polygamy, incest, and polyandry.

From the Paper:

"Cultural anthropologists theorize that there have been three archetypes of marriage throughout human society: monogamy, polygyny, and polyandry. While the last two have not been common among Western practitioners, certain cultures still practice forms of polygamy for cultural and / or socioeconomic reasons. Western society considers "marriage" to be the monogamous union between one man and one woman; nonetheless, this definition does not hold true for all societies. In some Eastern cultures polygamy is still an acceptable, even desirable, norm."

Sample of Sources Used:

www.answers.com/marriage
www.cousincouples.com
www.findlaw.com
Chapman, Samuel A. Polygamy, Bigamy, and Human Rights Law. Xlibris: 2001.
Diouf, Nafi. "Polygamy Hangs on Africa", The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 2, 2004.