Asses the view that marriage has failed

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Eisho Simon Sociology h/w 20/11/04  Asses the view that marriage has failed

Marriage is a relationship that plays a key role in the definition of many . A precise definition varies historically and between and within cultures, but it has been an important concept as a socially sanctioned bond between people who (usually) are not close blood relations. Globally, societies that sanction  as a form of marriage are far more common than those that do not. However, monogamy is overwhelmingly most widely practiced, followed by polygyny, with other forms extremely rare

Marriage has been described as a "socially sanctioned union", implying that any sort of selfless relationship can be called marriage if a given society approves of it. Some others regard this description as part of a campaign of redefining the very concept of marriage. Typically, these are advocates who maintain that marriage can and must be a relationship of one man and one woman. Other advocates maintain that the aspect of social sanction has always been the major determining factor, and that redefinition is accordingly perfectly legitimate.

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Marriage of some kind is found in most societies, and typically married people form either a , which is often subsequently extended biologically, through , or part of an extended family network. Alternatively the parents may choose to be "". Finally, they may be childless due to , and possibly seek treatment or consider .

There is wide variation in the precise form that marriage takes. Two of the most hotly-debated variants are discussed below:  and .

Divorce or dissolution of marriage

This  is the ending of a , which can be contrasted with an  which is a declaration that ...

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