Abstract
This paper discusses two articles that both deal with the interrelationships between domestic relationships and the broader society: :"Marriage: Then and Now" by Stephanie Coontz and "Family Responsibilities: The Politics of Love and Care" by Meg Luxton. The paper explains that Coontz supplies the reader with an interesting account of the history of marriage, showing how it has changed according to dominant social and historical trends. The paper then points out that Luxton shows how neoliberal capitalist policies have impacted family relationships and that the assumption that families must be self-reliant, and independent of the capitalist economy, dates back to 18th century liberalism. The writer concludes that both of these articles are written from a starting point of love and caring and both have an underlying agenda of promoting the greatest possible amount of individual and family happiness within the realities of our current society. The writer also believes that both articles provide useful insights into social realities, and constructive suggestions that can increase the happiness of many relationships.

From the Paper
"The underlying assumption of Coontz's article is that marriage is one of the many mechanisms of our society - it will thus change according to various social demands made on it. She does not appear to see any malevolent forces at work in this - marriage is simply an inanimate institution whose functions grow or contract depending on the pressures brought to bear on it. By contrast, Luxton's article does seem to pinpoint some malevolent forces at work. She blames what she calls the neoliberal agenda for the reduced role that the state is playing in fulfilling social responsibilities. Thanks to neoliberalism. She believes that the well-being of families has become subordinate to the well-being of business."

Tags:Neoliberalism, love, family, happiness, care

Abstract
This paper examines the role that marriage plays in society, both past and present. The author uses three different literary works, "The Lady with the Pet Dog," "Hedda Gabler" and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" to illustrate how marriage has maintained itself as an institution of society over the years. The main characters in these three stories demonstrate how societal pressures often lead people to marry for the wrong reasons and how loveless, or meaningless marriages often occur for different reasons. Hedda is forced to marry because she is a woman, Ilyich marries only because society expects him to take a wife and Gurov finds himself in a loveless marriage that leads him to an affair and his finding true love. The author uses these characters to send the message that marriage without thought can often have serious consequences that destroy lives.

From the Paper
"In the play Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen also makes a comment on the institution of marriage in society. Just as in "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," marriage is a requirement of society and something people must accept. Ibsen offers his views on the implications of this by focusing on the impact on the woman in the marriage. It is noted that the woman has the least control in a marriage, the woman being seen as inferior and powerless to the man. The main character, Hedda Gabler, is aware of this, with the play being her story of how she reacts to these controls. Hedda is a female with a character that is difficult to contain. She is not the character who accepts restrictions placed upon her, but is fiercely independent. The fact that she has no choice but to accept marriage shows just how certain the role of women is in society."

Tags:society, modern, individual, meaningless, wife, conventions, error, emptiness, woman, powerless, relationship, love, choice

Abstract
This paper examines how Anne Bronte's "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" depicts the marriage of Helen and Arthur Huntingdon, and how Arthur's negative lifestyle impacts their marriage. The paper relates that the marriage of Arthur and Helen Huntingdon depicts a lot about how men acted towards marriage in the 1800 Victorian society. The paper also explains that the novel does not follow the cultural norm exactly, but Bronte wrote it that way intentionally in order to shed light on what was happening behind closed doors in relationships.

From the Paper
"During, and even before, their courtship, Helen speaks of Arthur Huntingdon as though he is a magnificent man without any flaws whatsoever. She tells her Aunt Maxwell, "He is a much better man than you think of him" (Bronte 140), determined to prove to others that he is the perfect man for her to marry, despite any thoughts they may have about Mr. Huntingdon. Even though Helen tries to convince others he is a great man for marriage, she somewhat has to convince herself at the same time. In what looks like a criminal interrogation between Helen and her aunt, Helen begins to doubt whether or not Arthur is as good a man as she defends him to be; "Is he a good man?" her aunt asks her, "Yes - in some respects," Helen replies. "Is he a man of principle?" she asks Helen, "Perhaps not, exactly," Helen states (Bronte 140), showing that even Helen does not truly believe herself when she describes how good a man Mr. Huntingdon really is. "

Tags:victorian, society, abuse, reputation

Abstract
This paper analyzes the factors involved in the moral justifications of marriage, remarriage and divorce, providing Old Testament support and synthesizing the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The paper argues that certain criteria need to be met in order to justify actions involved in marriage, remarriage and divorce, paying close attention to the supporting scriptural contexts. The paper discusses how a synthesis of both the Old Testament and New Testament are necessary in formulating common denominators in examining the state of marriage in modern society, rather than narrow observations of single verses.

From the Paper
"Contemporary Christian thought on marriage has been a heated topic of debate in the 21st century. Due to a rise in divorce rates, and the Catholic Church's silence on marriage, remarriage and divorce, the factors in analyzing the justification for each of these elements has been blurred (Kostenburger and Jones 2004, 25). Historically, interpretation of divorce and marriage has relied upon the moral principles outlined in the bible. However the question arises as to which scriptures provide an accurate interpretation to today's society, as both the Old and New Testament reference the issue. The difficulty of the marriage debate in contemporary society is due to the lack of education and a set of principles in which to follow."

Tags:bible, Jesus, Christ, Old, Testament, New, Testament, society, relationship

Abstract
This paper explores how the modern individual's needs in the marriage relationship are met. It demonstrates how marriage has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. It also exhibits how the freedoms of our society place strains on marriages.

From the Paper
"Marriage in the twentieth century has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. As freedom in marriage roles expand, more is expected from marriage. Often husbands and wives are expected to have successful professions, be wonderful and involved parents, have a healthy and robust sex life, be each other's best friends, foster each other's spiritual growth, and still have time for separate activities and the community. And this is to be maintained over a life time! With expectations so high, with marriage "supposed" to be fulfilling so many needs, it's no wonder that the divorce rate is also high. The reality is bound to be a let down."

Tags:marriage, divorce, rate, companionship, husband, wives, partnership, freedom, society, friend

Abstract
This paper looks at how lack of trust and honesty leads Nora and Torvald Helmer down a long path to destruction. It explains that the play gives a picture of a marriage relationship that comes apart when a crisis reveals the lack of trust and the resulting deception that was present. Nora and Torvald Helmer have been married for eight years, but have filled those years playing the role of what society would have said was a happily married couple. It shows how a lack of trust and honesty has left them as strangers without a firm relationship to hold them together.

From the Paper
"The crisis occurs when it is revealed that years earlier, Nora had forged her father's name to acquire a loan. The money was needed to take her husband to Italy so he could recuperate from a life threatening illness. Torvald felt that to borrow would result in "Something of freedom lost - and something of beauty, too - from a home that's founded on borrowing and debt" (1569). So, with the help of Nils Krogstad, a bank clerk, Nora had secretly taken out the loan. Now Krogstad, in retaliation for Torvald firing him from his job at the bank, threatens to make it public that the loan was obtained by forgery. This turns Nora's life to turmoil."

Tags:deception, doll, henrick, house, ibson, nora, torvald

Abstract
The paper addresses the different categories of being alone and then discusses the importance of touch and human contact in the development of healthy children. The paper also looks at the importance of touch in the relationship between men and women, and how it can result in marriage and a family. The paper briefly discusses how the environment and outside nurturing profoundly influence growing children and then shows how it is only through relationships with others that creative, technological and experimental advancement can take place. Finally, the paper considers how all societies must follow a certain discourse of morality and law in order to allow daily transactions.

From the Paper
"The phrase "No Man is an Island", which was coined by John Donne in Meditation XVII in 1624, has transcended through the ages and offered wisdom about the state of man. Despite a his declaration of independence, no man can survive solely on his own. The idea that Donne presents is that man cannot exist without the help and existence of others. Humanity is interconnected at its core; therefore, when a person dies, everyone feels a sense of loss, for we have lost one of our own. The "island" that Donne refers to can by physical or psychological. In a physical sense, man cannot survive alone in isolation. Society provides fundamental resources like language, technology, finances, food, and entertainment. Even for people who claim to enjoy being alone, if they like to watch television, they are using tools that other people have designed and created, and they are watching actors on a screen who have made the television program they are watching possible. While people may be able to survive in solitude, they must rely indirectly on other people and their work to live comfortably in this society."

Tags:touch, contact, solitude, isolation, marriage, morality, law

Abstract
This paper discusses the failed marriage in Kate Chopin's story, "The Awakening". The paper looks at the relationship of Edna and her husband, Mr. Pontellier, in the story and attributes the dissolution of the marriage to Edna's uncaring husband, the fact that Edna was not a family woman nor a motherly type and the pressure placed upon her from her family and society. The paper also blames Edna's extramarital affairs and asserts that her depressed state of mind was perhaps the largest contributor to her failed marriage.

From the Paper
"Marriages fall apart for thousands of reasons. In Kate Chopin's story, "The Awakening," we see some very basic reasons for why marriages break down. Edna becomes an individual that women from around the world can learn from because she represents the independent woman in search of herself. There ae several forces at work that add to the breakdown of Edna's marriage. Edna's husband and their marriage itself are partially responsible for the dissolution of the marriage. Edna was simply not the marrying type. Edna's family and the pressure they place upon her is also a cause in the ending of her marriage. Other factors are the relationship that Edna has with other men while she is married. Edna's state of mind is perhaps the largest contributor to her marriage failing. Edna has too many negative forces encroaching on her and, with no way out, her marriage fails completely."

Tags:children, society, depression, relationships

Abstract
The paper looks at Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" and Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll House" and shows how the relationship between the couples in these works are molded by the society that surrounds them. The paper describes how Hansberry's Walter and Ibsen's Nora face difficult situations that force them to realize that their relationships are not all that they could or should be.

From the Paper
"Marriages can often be defined by the era in which they are created. Men and women find that their relationships are molded around societal institutions and traditional conventions of their time. Two plays that illustrate this notion are Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House. The couples in these plays demonstrate how marriage can be defined by the so-called rules of society. Ruth and Walter are severely affected by their society and Nora realizes that she does not have to be the doting wife that her society and Torvald expect."

Tags:relationships, couples

Abstract
Gay and lesbian marriage has become a controversial debate in contemporary society. There are heated arguments for and against the legalization of marriage between couples of the same sex. This paper explains that the underlying assumption for those in favor of gay marriages is that the central aspects of love, relationship, and understanding should override all other issues. However, this paper argues that the situation is not quite that simple. There are numerous factors that militate against the acceptance of gay marriage as an institution in modern society. The paper points out that gay marriages have the potential to create serious problems with regard to a range of very important social and cultural issues that make marriages of this nature untenable in modern society.

From the Paper
"The argument that I wish to propose is not based on any of these perceptions or views. The central argument against the institution of gay and lesbian marriage has nothing to do with assumptions and judgments about homosexuality, and neither do I wish to deprive people of their intrinsic and inalienable democratic rights. Rather the objection to same-sex marriage is simply based on the fact that it contributes to the downfall of society; more particularly the institution of the family - the foundation of society - and subsequently will impact negatively on the development of children within the society. Therefore, the argument against gay marriage that I propose is based purely on practical and societal considerations."

Tags:society, relationship, love, marriage, homosexual