Marriage comes in different dimensions and forms this day, unlike in the past when it was legally the union of two people. Past generations had a standard marriage style which is no longer experienced by the modern generations. The new generation offers a variety of marriage styles and marriages that offer new opportunities, new marriage dynamics, and new ideas. Each culture is accustomed to different marriage practices that can be distinguished from one another. The purpose of marriage is so twisted and diverse today, leading to the formation of many marriage types based on their purpose and how the relationship between the two individuals is defined. The main types of marriage include traditional, civil, monogamous, companion-based, religious, and parenting marriages. All marriage types have key concepts, advantages, and disadvantages that help identify the best-suited one’s needs.
Traditional marriage is the earliest form of union recognized in a given community, social group, or country at a specific period. It is conducted per the customs of the groom and bride families. The key features of this marriage are bride price, gifts, formal dances, and exchange of vows (Deezia, 2020). The bride price is paid to the woman’s family on the arranged date by the man as a form of appreciation. Gifts are exchanged between the families to cement the new union (Deezia, 2020). During the ceremony, formal dances are made as the two exchange vows. Both parents pray for their daughter and son for a long-lasting relationship. Advantages include creating a rich history within the family; it follows a procedure that creates a good bond and promotes friendship between families (Deezia, 2020). Disadvantages include family conflict, expensive to set up, and some marriages being pre-arranged without the consent of the bride or the groom.
Civil marriages are legally recognized without a religious or traditional ceremony. It is formed by signing a civil partnership document which can only be terminated by dissolution and not divorce. They are conducted in the offices of the Registrar of Marriages, Assistant County Commissioner, or Deputy County Commissioner (Khoury, 2020). A marriage certificate is presented and signed by both parties and the commissioning offices with two witnesses present, one for each partner and aged over 16 (Khoury, 2020). Early arrangements need to be made between the spouses and the registrar. Advantages include enjoying a marriage’s legal benefits, including support, inheritance, termination, and support. Each partner is legally entitled to part or all of the property in case of death or separation. The main disadvantage is the hardness of terminating the union (Khoury, 2020). It is illegal in some countries as it is not performed religiously or traditionally, especially in Arab countries.
Monogamous marriage involves a single partner at a time, with the relationship being emotional, sexual, or a combination of the two. It is the main form of marriage in the modern world and is supported by many religions. The main component is incorporating a single partner with zero sexual or emotional attachments with someone outside the relationship. Monogamous marriage reduces stress, promotes healthy relationships, and lowers the risk of sexually transmitted infections as only one partner is involved (Peoples & Zazzarino, 2019). It promotes dignity, trust, and confidence among family members while enhancing security. Commitment and undivided love are upheld while promoting intimacy between couples. The major disadvantage of this type of marriage is boredom, which leads to separation, divorce, and infidelity (Peoples & Zazzarino, 2019). A partner may find it hard to stick to the other for long, leading to cheating that ends up breaking the family.
Companion-based marriage involves a union between two individuals based on friendship. The couple desires to be friends for life as the friendship aspect is an essential part of the union. It promotes equality and mutual consent between the two partners, with the primary purpose being companionship, not security, financial support, or raising children (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). Trust and commitment promote the success of companion-based marriage. It promotes gender equality, birth control, and work-life balance, as spouses have no family obligations (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). The merits of this type of marriage include prioritizing support and communication between partners rather than material wealth. Disadvantages include lack of intimacy, which can lead to cheating and deterioration of friendship love. Friendship relationships are usually accompanied by a lack of passion and excitement (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). Busy schedules between couples can result in limited time together, which is bad for any relationship.
Religious marriage is a union conducted by a religious leader registered as an officiant by the Registrar General. A religious person conducts it, and there is an exchange of vows, readings from the scripture, and a blessing (Shofi, 2021). A marriage certificate is issued to validate the union of the bride and bridegroom (Shofi, 2021). The marriage presides with a ceremony involving family and friends if possible. The advantages of religious marriage include adding a spiritual dimension to the union. It promotes positive effects on economic outcomes, raising children, and mental health. Having religious partners who believe in the same faith promotes happier relationships. Interfaith marriages can lead to more disagreements and arguments within the relationship (Setiawan, 2022). The faith of the most religious partner can be compromised, leading to unhappiness. Religious marriages are expensive, which can be disadvantageous to low-earning partners.
Parenting marriage involves the relationship between two individuals for the children’s sake. There is no love, and the partners stay together until the kids come of age before separating. The main components of this marriage are the kids and both parents. For it to be successful, there is an agreement on new terms of the new marriage, kids are the main focus, and communication about the changing marriage is made (Fitriani, Zufferey & Ibrahim, 2022). Advantages include that it prioritizes the well-being of the children, reduces tension between parents, and there is continued family bonding. The demerits of this marriage are developing negative feelings and thoughts that can interfere with positive family interactions as there is no love (Fitriani et al., 2022). It is difficult for parents to be in contact constantly, yet each is developing a new life. The union gives children false hope about having a stable family and provides a poor relationship model.
Marriages have defining components unique to each and some merits and demerits to family members or partners. Traditional marriage is the earliest form of relationship unification conducted based on some customs and beliefs. Civil marriage is confined and administered by a legal officer of the government. Monogomaus is the most practiced marriage as it involves only a single partner. Companion-based marriage is based on friendship, love, and a relationship with no intimacy. Religious marriage is conducted within areligious settings, be it Muslim, Judaist, or Christian. Parenting marriage prevents children from becoming victims of a destroyed family. Today marriage is not all about the unification of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Each type of marriage is practiced by couples depending on the needs and preferences they all have.
References
Deezia, B. (2020). Traditional marriage: Towards the typologies of marriage in Ogoni traditional philosophy. UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, 21(1), 102-137.
Fitriani, S., Zufferey, C., & Ibrahim, N. (2022). Communal parenting, marriage, and children in Papua, Indonesia: Insights for social work. International Social Work, 2(4), 23-34.
Isaac, E., & Jiang, H. (2022). Tax-based marriage incentives in the affordable care act. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1(2), 25-29.
Khoury, C. (2020). Beyond religious marriages: Civil marriage, civil family laws, and the enhancement of women’s rights in Lebanon. Kohl: A Journal for Body and Gender Research, 6(Summer), 76-89.
Peoples, K., & Zazzarino, A. (2019). The unfaithful male in monogamous and non-monogamous marriage: A phenomenological case study. Sexual Addiction &Amp; Compulsivity, 26(1-2), 137-163.
Setiawan, D. (2022). Inter-religious marriage: A controversial issue in Indonesia. Contemporary Issues on Interfaith Law and Society, 1(1), 23-38.
Shofi, M. (2021). Marriage and religion: Dynamics of religious conversion in marriage and the advancement of community religious life perspective of religious psychology and sociology (study in Lumajang Regency). Dialog, 44(1), 51-66.