Attitudes Towards Marriage

Today we also have many mixed race marriages.  Attitudes 100 years ago wouldn’t have allowed this marriage to take place.

Marriage was also seen as the correct place as having children.  Having a sexual relationship before marriage was frowned upon.  Anyone who found herself pregnant was usually forced into marriage.  Today, many people live together before marrying, and many have children.

Wedding vows have also changed now.  Traditionally, the bride had to “love, honour and obey” her husband whereas the groom only had to “love and honour.”  This again shows that the man owned the woman and she was his property.  Today there are more equal opportunities.  Many women have the word “obey” removed from the service.

The roles of women and men in marriage have also changed.  Traditionally, women were the housewives who stayed at home and looked after the children, and men were the breadwinners.  Today it is common for women to go to work, and some men become househusbands, which was traditionally a female role.  Women and men are also less prepared to put p with bad treatment.

Also, today many people marry more than once.  It is only recently that divorce has become possible, and it was originally only a man who could divorce the woman.  The fact that divorce and remarriage takes place shows that attitudes have changed.