M-13 - What is marriage and what does it mean to you?

[haycheng]

I am bothered, yet unsuprise to see same sex wedding in USA. As a Chinese and a Christisan, the whole diea of same-sex marriage is alien to me. While logically I do not see any problem with same-sex marriage, I can not say the same about my emotion. The recent event has also forced me to rethink what exactly is marriage. As it appears, the legal marriage mean less everyday. There are people who get marry just for the fun and divorced on the same day. The divorce rate is over 50%.

Here is some question that I am wonder?

what exactly marriage mean to you?
What is the purpose of legally marriage?
Should homesexual be married?
How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?


To me, marriage is a vow that promise your other half that you will stand with them until the end of the earth. It is also a beginning of a new family, generally lead to kids. It is also a joining of two family. The idea of "in-law" has a important meaning in Chinese culture. We call the son-in-law, "half-son". Marriage may be a personal thing but it has a large impact in your family.

[HollywoodBob]

What exactly marriage mean to you?
Marriage is pledging eternal devotion to the person you love. Is that a good enoug definition? :D

What is the purpose of legally marriage?
For nearly every thing a marriage entitles a couple to, there are legal work arounds, a legal marriage streamlines the process. But it also entitles a spouse to be allowed in to see their dying partner, something I understand only a family member may do.

Should homesexual be married?
Absolutely. I wouldn't want them telling me that I can't marry the person I choose to, for what ever reason, so why should I tell them they can't.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
Polygamy: if they want to go for it, but legally only the first marriage should be recognized. I shouldn't be at a tax disadvantage, because I chose to marry one woman instead of twelve.

Close relatives: How close are we talking here? Siblings? Step Siblings? Cousins? Children and parents? You have to be a little more specific. If it weren't for the genetic down falls then I'd be fine with it.

To me, what people choose do in their private life doesn't bother me. As long as they aren't infringing on other peoples rights and they're happy, then more power to them.

-HollywoodBob

[Ellesse]

I think that if two people are in love, they should be allowed to get married if they are a lesbian couple, gay couple or boy/girl couple. You cannot help who you fall in love with.
I think marriage is very final and you must be very in love to get married. I love it when I see two little old people walking down the street hand in hand as lovestruck as two 16 year old first loves. Its so sweet. I think that is what marriage should be about. Two people who are very much in love looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together.

[Emma]

These are My thoughts and no one elses.....


What exactly marriage means to you?
Marriage means a slip of paper that binds you to someone.

What is the purpose of legally married?
Sharing taxes, sharing the raising of children, sharing a household.

Should homesexual be married?
If they choose to it is up to them. I see no purpose in marriage.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
I don't believe in marriages any more. So I cannot answer this question.

[Jessica]

Now that Emma's perked us all up :)

I have no real basis for any opinion, having never been married myself. Nor having any real interest in doing so.

But I have nothing against marriage for other people. However, a marriage is two people - be they gay, straight, purple, whatever. Two people who love each other and want to put a name to it have every right to get married. Who am I (or anyone else) to tell them that they don't have that right just because they're not "a man and a woman".

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

What exactly does marriage mean to you?

I think haycheng's definition was pretty good. The standard marriage vows ("for better or worse," "in sickness and health," and so on) provide a good summary as well.

What is the purpose of legal marriage?

In addition to conferring certain benefits, it (ideally) acts as a sort of crutch during the "worse" times.

Should homosexuals be married?

Absolutely. It annoys me no end when opponents of gay marriage try to claim gays and lesbians are predisposed toward flings, when our legal system doesn't give them any real alternative or incentive to do otherwise.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I think as long as all parties involved are freely consenting adults, they should be allowed to do what they like (they should think about the consequences as well, but there's unfortunately no way of regulating that). While that encompasses polygamous and certain distant relative marriages, it rules out close relatives because there's almost always an element of coercion involved in taking a natural bond like those between family members and trying to twist it into something else.

[Rose Hunter]

What exactly marriage mean to you?

Marriage, to me, is a sacred institution.

A partnership between a man and a woman that should last the rest of their lives, so shouldn't be done light-heartedly.

In that partnership the husband would have the final say in what the team does, but he should listen to his wife for ideas so he can make an informed decision. Without that communication, there is no partnership.

There would be just a dictatorship. And I hate dictators.

What is the purpose of a legal marriage?

I think the purpose of a legally binding marriage is to create a stable atmosphere. Not that it isn't possible to create one without it. But in the eyes of the law (the man), in order to enjoy full legal benefits, you have to at least register yourselves as a married couple.

Should homesexuals be married?

I don't think it should be that easy for them. Same sex partners are unnatural, and unproductive. One reason to get married would be to have children. Same sex couples definitely have a problem in that department.

But that's just my opinion. I have a philosophy. Don't force your views on me, as I won't force my views on you.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I don't believe in multiple marriages. For me, marriage has one husband and one wife. I have very conservative views, as you can very well see.

As for cousins that marry. I don't believe in that either. If a couple is too closely related, they run the risk of creating genetic anomalies in their offspring.

That's why the cheetah is in so much trouble today. They're all practically identical in terms of their genetics. If a disease ever hit them and killed one of them, they'd all die out if the entire population was in one area.

To keep a bloodline strong and healthy, you have to have genetic diversity. Marrying one's family member is counteractive in that department.

[PadfootBlack]

What exactly marriage mean to you?

Close relatives: How close are we talking here? Siblings? Step Siblings? Cousins? Children and parents? You have to be a little more specific. If it weren't for the genetic down falls then I'd be fine with it.


I hate nit-picking, but this caught my eye. I thought genetics doesn't have anything to do with marriage. It's just a matter of love between two people, isn't it??

My thoughts, marriage should be between a man and woman so that they can have a legally bound family. I hesitantly believe that gays and lesbians should be allowed to form legal unions of some sort (for the same legal reasons), but I don't think it should use the term "marriage" at all. Polygamy is about as controversial as gay marriage. I don't believe in polygamy mainly for religious reasons. Since it is illegal people shouldn't be doing it. I think the closest family members to be married should be at least second cousins. I could accept laws that allow first cousin marriage, though. That's it.

[Wab]

Genetic downfalls aside close relative relationships are usually anathema to one of my core beliefs about marriage -- that is, an equal partnership, something that is impossible for marriage sforged within close familial relationships.

[JofpGallagher]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

A business contract that in many occasions is incompatible with love.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

I really don't know. I haven't seen the clauses of that business contract yet. Maybe I will never see it.

Should homesexual be married?

They have the right to sign contracts, don't they? I don't see a problem at all.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I'm against polygamous marriages. Love is a 100% commitment to the lover (In singular). Whatever out of that is promiscuity, and leads to the lose of human's morals.

Love your answers Emma! :)

[Animagi rock!]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

Ideally it would be a bond between two people who love each other and want to share the rest of their lives with each other. As I've seen too many people who are married and don't live up to that and lots of people who don't marry and stay together anyway, I don't see much of a reason to get married. If someone else wants to do it, however, that's fine with me.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

It gives you some benefits (taxes) and it anounces to everyone that you've decided to stay together.

Should homesexual be married?

If they want to, they should be allowed to. Threy're not hurting anyone, so why not.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I wouldn't want to live in a polygamous marriage myself, but have no objections to it if other people would like to (as long as they're all consenting adults, of course).
I don't agree with close relatives marriages because there's the problem of genetic diseases in their children.

[Silvilocks]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

I'd find it harder to define now than when I got married. It's making a commitment, and as Rowena Ravenclaw said, some of the wedding vows sum up what I see as the basics. Against that, you can have the same relationship and the same degree of commitment, and just live with somebody without marriage. If anything happened to my husband, and I entered into what I hoped would be another long-term relationship, I'd have the same views of what that relationship should involve, but I wouldn't feel the need to marry. I also don't accept the "till death us do part" vow as cast in stone. Yes, I sincerely hope my marriage lasts that long, but people make mistakes in all aspects of their life, and marriage is no different. I do believe many people enter in to divorce to quickly and easily, but at the end of the day I don't believe divorce is wrong.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

Should homesexual be married?

I'm answering these two together, because I honestly believe that "marriage" as a legal status or contract or whatever needs to be redefined. For the sake of argument, let's say replace it with the phrase "civil contract. Anyone who has attained the legal age required by the country they live in should be allowed to enter in to such a contract, regardless of their sexual orientation. All it need involve is two people signing a piece of paper in front of a lawyer, and said piece of paper can then be waved under the noses of anyone concerned, whether it's interfering relatives who keep hinting it's time you settle down, or the tax man to make sure you grab the few miserable financial benefits that are still available. It would give you the legal status necessary to be recognized as next-of-kin, parent of any children of the union and whatever other red-tape crops up.

"Marriage" can then be reserved for describing whatever ceremony or celebrations the two people concerned want to go through. If you want to go the whole hog with a cathedral, white dress, bells and choir boys, then fine. Or run off and recite your favourite poems to each other on a tropical beach at sunset. Yes, the churches would still have the right to refuse to marry gays or divorcees etc, but they are effectively private clubs, and they should be allowed to have their own rules and regulations, as long as they keep them to themselves.

I know for many people marriage is entwined with religion, and I'm not trying to knock their view. I just think that in the multi-cultural societies most of us live in now, the whole issue needs streamlining so that there is a basic form of marriage, and then everyone can finish it off in the way they prefer.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

Polygamous marriage, I can't pretend to be happy with, but I'm not too sure why. Maybe I just can't imagine why anyone would want two husbands :rolleyes: Close relatives, I'd say no closer than first cousins, and that only after full background medical checks.

[Benzo]

I like Rowena's answers.

I just want to add that marriage is defined by our personal experience much more than many other words, it is about how we see love, religion, contracts and how we dealed with that in our life.

[Kaonashi]

Commitment, plain and simple. Knowing that you will be there for that person, no matter what. Working out differences. Fidelity. Belief in "till death do you part" not "until I get tired of you or you get on my nerves." It's a very serious thing that too many take lightly, imo. Regardless of your sexual orientation, if you can look that person in the eye and know you are there for them through twix and tween, and are mature enough to handle the waves that come up, and that you love them, and you are there for the long-haul. The bringing together of two whole people, rather than two halfs making a whole, as one person should not be your entire life; that's too much of a burden on anyone. That's what marriage means to me. And it's serious business, which is why I've never done it.

[Tane]

What exactly marriage mean to you?

A binding of two people who will hopefully but probably not love each other for a very long time. To me it means entrapment.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

It is so that a person can run off with 50% of what you have if the marriage bindings (imprisonment) breaks down.

Should homesexual be married?

If they wish to.

[triki1988]

what exactly marriage mean to you?
When two people make the ultimate commitment to each other. And later on some of them break it.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?
From what I understand, to me that is the marriage to officially announce that you and such person are married to SOCIETY (matrimonio civil, is what I call it).

Should homesexual be married?
I don't see why they shouldn't. They have the same rights as anyone else. Just cos it's 'same sex' marriage, it doesn't mean that they don't love each other as much as any "straight" couple.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
I don't agree with polygamous marraiges and marriages in the family are...just...ugh. Incest, in my opinion.

[HollywoodBob]

I don't agree with polygamous marraiges and marriages in the family are...just...ugh. Incest, in my opinion.
Actually I think that's the definition of incest. :D

-HollywoodBob

[Bertha Blotts]

What exactly does marriage mean to you?
Marriage is an attempt to join two lives together for the purpose of mutual support and the support of children (if any).


What is the purpose of legall marriage?
The point of legal marriage (ie a marriage sanctioned by the government, rather than a purely private agreement between two people to love each other forever) is primarily to solidify and regulate the property rights that are bound up in marriage. It is also an easy proxy for all sorts of other private and governmental benefits that various parties wish to bestow on married couples (like insurance for spouses, privileged spousal communication, spousal discount at my gym, ...you name it.)


Should homesexual be married?
Homosexuals should have the RIGHT to marry their same-sex partners, but I hope they don't do it. I also hope strait couples would opt out of marriage. Marriage is a patriarchal institution which systematically disadvantages women. It doesn't absolutely have to be that way--I suppose a couple could, with great effort, achieve a marriage of equality. But the historical patterns have a certain gravity to them, and encourage us to slip into undesirable old behaviours, and are therefor better avoided.


How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
I'm willing to consider polygamous marriages. I can't think of any good reason not to allow them if all parties involve desire it.
Close relative marriage--from a genetic standpoint, first cousin marriage is just fine, and more than half of U.S. states allow it. I'm fine with it. For that matter, marriage between brothers and sisters is very low risk, from a genetic standpoint, and considering the availability of modern genetic screening and counseling, there is no genetic reason to disallow this.

However, there is a good social reason to disallow marriage between people who were raised together in a closed family unit--a basic policy of keeping family units free of the mailstroms of romantic desire, to keep them safe and sexless (except between the mother and father.) We also don't want people who are that emotionally close to a growing child and have an enourmous influence over the economic wellbeing of the child to be able to coerce the child (or young adult) into submitting to an unwanted relationship.

[crookshanks1177]

Polygamous isn't incest, it's having more then one wife. Like a monogamous marriage would be one wife.

[LuvHP_001]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

It means a vow of love of two people coming together to join as one soul to be forever with each other until "Death do them part".

What is the purpose of legally marriage? Should homesexual be married?

I don't know what is the purpose but I hate homophobes and people who say homosexuals shouldn't marry (stupid Bush!!!!!!!) I think that they should have the same rights. Why should other control and have the right of whether they can get married or not? They fall in love the same way just like a heterosexual couple,so nobody should stand in their way. It's just like Racism because it's saying that some people should have better rights than others. This is like Human rights.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I am frankly disturbed by this. I think that relatives should have those kinds of feelings toward each other but we shouldn't restrict anyone from doing whatever they want. I am so freaked out that in my religion we are allowed to get married to our cousins (but not siblings).

[Alhanalasa]

Commitment, plain and simple. Knowing that you will be there for that person, no matter what. Working out differences. Fidelity. Belief in "till death do you part" not "until I get tired of you or you get on my nerves." It's a very serious thing that too many take lightly, imo. Regardless of your sexual orientation, if you can look that person in the eye and know you are there for them through twix and tween, and are mature enough to handle the waves that come up, and that you love them, and you are there for the long-haul. The bringing together of two whole people, rather than two halfs making a whole, as one person should not be your entire life; that's too much of a burden on anyone. That's what marriage means to me. And it's serious business, which is why I've never done it.

This describes my beliefs as well, except that I am engaged to be married. As a bisexual, I disagree with the idea that I couldn't have that commitment if I had happened to fall in love with a woman instead of a man.

Legally, I think it's absurd that the goverment sanctions only male/female marriage, and not same sex unions. The only possible basis for the exclusion is a religious one, which is not supposed to be allowed, constitutionally speaking. If it's a matter of the word itself, I have no problem with all legal marriages being termed "civil unions" by the goverment. Then whatever church wants to offer "marriage" to whoever they feel should be "married" can do so. Then everyone can enjoy the legal benefits of marriage without getting the Fundy Xtians all upset just because of the word you use for it.

[LuvHP_001]

What really upsets me is that same sex marriages aren't allowed because of religion...I'm wondering if they care about all the religions or specifically one because it seems to me that if the christian "religion" says it's wrong there is no other way to go than to agree.

[crookshanks1177]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

It means two people join together in love and commitment.

What is the purpose of legally marriage? Should homesexual be married?

There are many purposes for legal marriage, I'm not going to take the time to list them. As for homosexual, I personally am not for or against it. If two homosexuals are in love and want to get married it doesn't personally effect me so more power to them. As a society though I don't think we're quite ready for legalized homosexual marriages, maybe in the next generations society would be more ready for it. That is just my opinion.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

Some religions condone polygamous marriages. That's fine with me. I would never enter into a polygamous marraige. One husband would be plenty to deal with, I wouldn't want to deal with five husbands. Incest has been around since the beginning of time. Again it's not for me. I would never marry one of my brothers or cousins or any relative of mine.

[Stayce]

Currently I have little thought about it for myself but I see so many making a joke of it. I think that there should be manditory counselling for a year before hand and for three years before divorce is possible and fines for divorce as well. Too many kids are jerked around. Too many people messing too many other peoples lives up. The saddest thing I hear today is I'm spending the weekend at my dads. Or that is my half-step-brother. I know it is generally accepted now but it is sad to me. I than God my parents decided to raise me rather than share me. I can't imagine how different my life would have been without the good cop/bad cop punishment times much less having two people I could relie on to help me learn lifes lessons.

[LuvHP_001]

Currently I have little thought about it for myself but I see so many making a joke of it. I think that there should be manditory counselling for a year before hand and for three years before divorce is possible and fines for divorce as well. Too many kids are jerked around. Too many people messing too many other peoples lives up. The saddest thing I hear today is I'm spending the weekend at my dads. Or that is my half-step-brother. I know it is generally accepted now but it is sad to me. I than God my parents decided to raise me rather than share me. I can't imagine how different my life would have been without the good cop/bad cop punishment times much less having two people I could relie on to help me learn lifes lessons.

It's sad that so many adults who married for a reason just take the easy way out and divorce. I agree that they should first take consuselling. I feel really sorry for kids who have to deal with that because I can't imagine how it's like to know you mom and dad can't even stand each other enough to live together,to have 2 adresses and just to feel broken.

[Amina]

What exactly marriage means to you?

Marriage is a symbol of raising that one relationship over and above every one you've had before. It is a symbol showing that one special person you meet that they are more special than anyone else you've ever been with and you want to be together forever.

Aren't I naive and idealogical? ;)

What is the purpose of legally married?

In order to enjoy the tax benefits afforded to you, and to give you a legal standing in the event of the death of your partner and, more cyncially, should the relationship fail.

Should homesexual be married?

Yes, for all the reasons i stated in the first question. I believe they should have the same right to express those feelings. I feel i have expounded on these thoughts enough in other threads.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I personally do not like the idea of polygamy, certainly not without the consent of all involved. As far as polygamous marriages...from a legal perspective, I suspect there are all sorts of problems (from a divorce and death point of view), and from a moral point of view, it puts me in a difficult situation because of my views on what marriage means. I don't quite understand WHY people need to 'marry' in a polygamous relationship. What exactly is the point? If they wish to lead a polygamous life, then that is entirely up to them, but surely polygamous marriage is an oxymoron?

Close relations (though it does depend on what we're defining as 'close') are wrong from a gene pool theory point of view. However, aside from that, no. There are some very very interesting articles discussing the legal issues surround incest; most fascinating. when i can open my eyes to actually think, i'll post up the books and journal citations.

[crookshanks1177]

It's sad that so many adults who married for a reason just take the easy way out and divorce. I agree that they should first take consuselling. I feel really sorry for kids who have to deal with that because I can't imagine how it's like to know you mom and dad can't even stand each other enough to live together,to have 2 adresses and just to feel broken.

Yes it is very hard coming from a divorced family. My parents divorced when I was 7. Actually a lot of members of my family have been divorced and married umpty million times. I'm almost ashamed. Marriage is not valued to people like it should be now a days. I'm almost terrified to get married and have children for fear I would put them through what I've been through.

[LuvHP_001]

Yes it is very hard coming from a divorced family. My parents divorced when I was 7. Actually a lot of members of my family have been divorced and married umpty million times. I'm almost ashamed. Marriage is not valued to people like it should be now a days. I'm almost terrified to get married and have children for fear I would put them through what I've been through.

Oh,that is so sad! Nobody shouldn't rush into marriage. Please accept my apology. It doesn't mean you will have that luck,just wait until you find the one for you!

[crookshanks1177]

Oh,that is so sad! Nobody shouldn't rush into marriage. Please accept my apology. It doesn't mean you will have that luck,just wait until you find the one for you!

Lol, no need to be sorry! It's a fear of mine I've had for years. One day maybe my boyfriend will be able to break me of it. :p Don't be sorry lol you didn't upset me at all. I was just agreeing that yes it is hard for the children when their parents get divorced.

[LuvHP_001]

ok! Good luck with you BF!

[crookshanks1177]

Thanks. :blush:

[Fruity]

What exactly marriage mean to you?
I think that, quite simply, marriage is for two people who love eachother and want to spend the rest of their lives with eachother. Right now, I can't imagine myself getting married, because I can't imagine someone that much. Of course, I also think that if it were the right person, I definately would want to marry them. Personally, I don't think that people should live together if they're not married. If you say "oh I'm not ready yet!", then you shouldn't be living together or having children. If you're living in the same house, sleeping together, and presumably, love eachother, that's just the same thing as marriage. Maybe some people don't see a reason to get married, but I suppose I don't see a reason not to. If you really don't want to marry him/her, I think you've got to ask yourself "what am I doing in a relationship with this person?".

Should homesexual be married?
Of course. It's not right to tell someone who they can marry. As long as they love eachother, that's the main thing. Even if you say no because of your religion, maybe you coul think again? Because honestly, I believe that God loves everyone, it's only our peers who say otherwise. If everyone is loved equally, then there is no reason that they should be discriminated against for who they happen to love. ^_^

How about polygamous marriages?
I suppose that it is possible to love more than one person at the same time, but I think you should only be married to one person at the same time. Even if everyone does really love each other, it's not possible to have an equal relationship with three more more people. Someone is bound to be left out, even despite the best intentions. I don't think that it's healthy to have to share the person you love with someone else. However, if people are happy to live like this, that's what's important and it's not my place to judge. I just don't think that marriage is the proper institution for that sort of relationship. (Though again, is it fair to deny someone marriage based on my own, or someone else's, personal views?)

Close relatives marriages?
No. We reproduce sexually for a reason. If we were to mate with close family members, we may as well repoduce asexually instead. (It would sure be a lot more convenient, wouldn't it?) Besides the genetic aspect, the relationship we have with our family is sacred. A girl should not have to deal with her brother trying to get in bed with her (for example). It's more understandable if it's someone you've never known as your family (I'm sure it must be a horrible shock to find out!) but I still don't think it should be allowed. Even if the people love eachother, there are some boundaries that just shouldn't be crossed. I suppose that it would also depend on how the relations were, though. Because after a point, if your genetics aren't such close of a match and you don't associate them with being your family, they're just like another person. But how close is too close? Even if you don't associate them with being family, would just knowing that you're related ruin the whole relationship?

[Chrysalis]

what exactly marriage mean to you?
Marriage is a way of expressing one's eternal love and commitment to another person, I suppose.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?
Sharing taxes, a legal marriage makes life easier when a couple is planning to have children.

Should homesexual be married?
I don't see why not.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
I can't see for the life of me why anyone would want to enter a polygamous marriage. I can't see myself having a relationship with more than one person. However if people want to it's up to them, but there should be laws to ensure that no one is being exploited against their will.

As for close relatives, it is not beneficiary to the fitness to marry someone with whom so many genes are shared.

[loopdeedoo123]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

A man and a woman uniting in the Church. I don't think that outside the Church marriages are bad or anything, but I think in the Church is better.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

To share taxes and stuff. I don't know much about that.

Should homesexual be married?

In my opinion, no. That would distort the sense of marriage, create a whole new political correctness issue, and just altogether... I don't like it.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

No. (polygamous means having more than one spouse, right? correct me if I'm wrong.) I dont' think so, because you should be dedicated to one person and one person only. It would cause jealousy and strife.
For close marriage relatives, no again. That is just weird.

[Kimmetje]

Let me answer the questions;

What exactly marriage mean to you?
-It means to me that someone in a relationship has bonded really well and they decide to stay together forever and so they marry.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?
-To let the world know that you love each other and that you are ready to face everything together.

Should homesexual be married?
-Yes, why not. I mean when they love each other deeply than I don't mind at all.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
-I think it is a bit odd when you marry your sister or something so I don't think that should be allowed. All can do what they want to, but some things are just over the line.

[Haneyparadox]

What exactly marriage mean to you?
Marriage to me means a lifelong commitment to another person to share your life and all that you have in equal partnership. We live is a harsh unforgiving world and it's a comfort to know that there is someone you can trust implicitly to watch your back.
What is the purpose of legally marriage?
To legally bind two people together for the sharing of resources. These contracts are traditonaly long term, but usually contain escape clauses in cae an irrepairable break occurs.
Should homesexual be married?
Sure. I dont see why not. I have yet to hear a single logical reason why they should not. I dont belive we even need to change the name. most of the arguments that Ive heard against it invoke the same flimsy excuses that were used agaisnt interracial marriage 50 years ago. If two people of the same gender want to commit to a long term monogamous relationship I see no reason why they should be denied the same legal rights as straight couples.
How about polygamous marriages
to be healthy for both partners a marriage needs to ba an equal partnership. I dont see how this is possible in a polygamous marriage. If it were ever to be made legal then it would have to swing both ways. Women would have to be allowed to have multiple husbands. Ever heard a ploygamy advocate that was likely to support this idea? I havent. It always seems to be a man wo wants multiple wives for some odd reason.
and close relatives marriage
There are medical and social reasons for not allowing this. Close marriage increses the odds that a harmful recessive trait will manifest in the offspring. This suppsedly isnt a problem for the first generation, but the more times you do this the worse it gets.
Socially it's not conducive to a peacefull household to have cousins and siblings squabling over each other.

[Stellamedusa]

what exactly marriage mean to you?

Not a great deal. I'm not really looking to ever get married. I mean, it's possible that I might, but it's not a goal. I'm not yet resigned to the idea that it's the only way to live. I want to have children someday but I have no desire to be married.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?

I view marriage mainly as a religious ceremony, and since I'm not religious at all it really doesn't hold much meaning for me. I think it was originally designed by men for their own convenience and benefit, and continues to put women who choose to marry in a subservient position. The very idea that the family unit should be made up of one woman and one man implies that there are set gender roles, which I don't believe in. It's all very well to say that a marriage does not have to be that way, but the reality is that most people who get married fall at least partially into the typical archaic gender roles.

Should homesexual be married?

If they want to, I don't have a problem. In fact, these sorts of relationships probably have more equality that male/female marriages.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?

I don't know about the close relative thing, I understood that there could be genetic problems with the children. Some people have been saying that isn't really a problem, so if that's true then I guess there's nothing wrong with it (but who would want to marry a close relative?!) Polygamous, as in a harem thing? Obviously as a bit of a feminist I have huge problems with that. And the other way around, who'd want to have two husbands?!

[LuvHP_001]

In fact, these sorts of relationships probably have more equality that male/female marriages.

Obviously as a bit of a feminist I have huge problems with that. And the other way around, who'd want to have two husbands?!

I agree! It suprises me how homosexual marriages sometimes work out better than heterosexual marriages,and that defintely says something.

I'm not a feminist but I do have a huge problem that usually MEN can have wives but women can't have husbands! What a stupid double standard!

[Stellamedusa]

I never used to consider myself a feminist either, but in the last year or so some of my contemporaries started getting engaged/married. This made me really think about marriage seriously and I actually really surprised myself with the attitude I discovered I had. Since then I've realised just how many of my ideas are firmly feminist, so now I pretty much wear the label.

[Zeyd]

What exactly marriage mean to you?
The union between a man and a woman.

What is the purpose of legally marriage?
Having children, keeping spouse company, sharing $/insurance/home.

Should homesexual be married?
No...It would contradict my definition of marriage. There should be a civil partners list.

How about polygamous marriages and close relatives marriages?
Polygamous: Same thing as gay marriage...civil partners list.
Relative: Cousins yes. Brother/sister no.