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SOME CONCEPTS AND REASONS ABOUT MARRIAGE
Alex Badion
Class of 2001, Eastern Visayas State University - Tanauan Campus
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education
The famous philosopher, Confucius, once said “Marriage is the union of two different surnames, in friendship
and in love, in order to continue the posterity of the former sages, and to furnish those who shall preside at the
sacrifices to heaven and earth, at those in the ancestral temple, and at those at the altars to the spirits of the
land and grain”. There are other definitions of this word. According to the freedictionary.com, it is the state or
relationship of being husband and wife. In the context of law, marriage is the legal union or contract made by a
man and woman to live as husband and wife. In other words, marriage is the state or relationship of two adults
who are married. Does marriage occur without love? People marry for many reasons. These different reasons
have something to do with their varied beliefs, traditions and perceptions in life. Marriage is a familiar word to
everybody. We have heard and read many times about marriage. We have seen TV programs and movies
related to marriage. We have witnessed different wedding ceremonies – a wedding of our brother and sister, a
wedding of a friend, a wedding of a relative, a wedding of a famous celebrity, a wedding of a noble person, a
wedding of our friendly neighbor and the like. We wished the couples the best for their new life – a life that is
shared both of them. We have seen them filled with joy and happiness as they share their vows before and
after the ceremony. However, we are not totally sure about the real essence of marriage. Why do people get
married? This is one of the questions that perhaps everybody asks seriously.
In a certain article from Wiki Answers about marriage, one simple reason why marriage happens is to avoid
loneliness. Some people hate to arrive home, typically in an empty house. They need belongingness and to
establish a family who will be responsible and take care of them. Consequently, it is love. It is the most
powerful emotion man has ever known. To love somebody is not that easy. Basically you need to feel it. Your
mind will work together with your heart. On the other hand, some women marry for financial security. They
tediously find a man who can bring their financial status secured and stable. They usually look for rich
bachelors who are nice and kind. Some people get married to give an evading basis of acceptance in the society.
They avoid the questions “Why are you still single at 40?” “Why don't you have kids or children?”. This may
sound subjective because some women with financial security can choose to remain single and pursue their
careers. Melissa Mayntz1, an author in her online website “love to know weddings.com”, shared that every
couple has different reasons to get married that apply to their unique relationship, and many couples share
similar reasons for planning the long walk down the aisle. Whether a couple's reasons are purely emotional,
legal, financial, or some combination of these or other reasons, recognizing why marriage is important can help
them understand the commitment they have to in their long term relationship. Emotional reasons are the most
noticeable for people to get married. The companionship, romance, and love a couple shares can compel them
to make the commitment to spend the rest of their lives together.
Not all emotional reasons are romantic, however, some people may choose to get married because of fear -
fear that they will always be alone or that they will not find someone else to share their life with. Some people
may also get married out of anger, either to spite their parents or another individual with whom they've had a
relationship. While the positive emotions behind wanting to get married can make the event seem magical, the
negative emotions for marriage can be devastating. Couples should carefully examine their emotional
motivation for marriage before they commit to their "I do's". Getting married can be very practical for financial
reasons. A married couple can take advantage of tax breaks associated with marriage, and the legal
commitment of a marriage ensures financial security for providing for children. Sharing medical insurance for
couples and families can also be very cost effective, and couples can enjoy financial benefits with regards to
communal property, inheritances, retirement accounts, and other financial matters. Many couples also choose
to get married for religious reasons. In some faiths, a couple may not be considered married if they only
complete a civil ceremony - a religious ceremony is required to confirm their union before the eyes of God. A
couple who shares the same or similar faiths may want to honor their relationship with that religious