

DefinitionsĪnthropologists have proposed several competing definitions of marriage in an attempt to encompass the wide variety of marital practices observed across cultures. The related word "matrimony" derives from the Old French word matremoine, which appears around 1300 CE and ultimately derives from Latin mātrimōnium, which combines the two concepts: mater meaning " mother" and the suffix - monium signifying "action, state, or condition".

The adjective marīt-us -a, -um meaning matrimonial or nuptial could also be used in the masculine form as a noun for "husband" and in the feminine form for "wife".

This, in turn, is derived from Old French, marier (to marry), and ultimately Latin, marītāre, meaning to provide with a husband or wife and marītāri meaning to get married. The word "marriage" derives from Middle English mariage, which first appears in 1250–1300 CE. 8.1.2.1 Christian attitudes to same-sex marriage.7.5.4 Laws, human rights and gender status.7.5 Contemporary legal and human rights criticisms of marriage.
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Around the world, primarily in developed democracies, there has been a general trend towards ensuring equal rights for women within marriage (including abolishing coverture, liberalizing divorce laws, and reforming reproductive and sexual rights) and legally recognizing the marriages of interfaith, interracial/ interethnic/ inter-caste and same-sex couples. In some parts of the world, marriage has historically restricted the rights of women, who are (or were) considered the property of the husband. In other areas, such practices are outlawed to preserve women's rights or children's rights (both female and male) or as a result of international law. In some areas of the world, arranged marriage, child marriage, polygamy, and forced marriage are practiced. Whom they marry may be influenced by gender, socially determined rules of incest, prescriptive marriage rules, parental choice, and individual desire. Individuals may marry for several reasons, including legal, social, libidinal, emotional, financial, spiritual, and religious purposes. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. Typically, it is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned. It is considered a cultural universal, but the definition of marriage varies between cultures and religions, and over time. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses.
