In 1563 marriages were recognized only if the ceremony was officiated by a Roman Catholic Priest, with two witnesses. The Marriage Ordinance of Geneva was imposed by John Calvin and all marriages had to be state registered as well as church consecrated and marriage records kept to make a marriage legal and recognized. Fleet marriages were then curtailed and no longer recognized. child marriage However, this act did not apply to Quakers and Jewish marriages, these marriages were governed by their own customs. It was only in 1837 that civil marriages became recognized as a legal alternative to being married in a church. In 1875 the Germans then recognized civil marriages as well. A civil marriage had to be performed before an official clerk of the court, where the couple had to affirm their will to marry. Since that time records have been kept by the civil courts as well as a register has been kept by the churches. It is also now being kept for the same sex couples, gay marriages are recognized in most countries. Gay marriages have been known to take place as far back as ancient Greece and Rome as well as in China. Child marriage is also practiced in rural areas of India. Weddings can be arranged even before a child is born. The Marriage Restraint Act has now forbidden these types of marriages. Bride kidnapping still exists in parts of Africa and Central Asia. Groups of men kidnap women and then elope with them, many experience sexual violence. Marriage nowadays is seen as an institution which joins people together in numerous economic and emotional ways child marriage. In most instances a married couple live in their own home and in the same bed. This is not the case in some countries such as Saudi Arabia, as husband and wife live separately. Some cultures the husband lives with the wife's parents and vice versa. Common law marriages are recognized in many countries as well, these marriage have no some extent are legal and binding should the couple part child marriage. People merely live together for tax purposes. The children born of such an agreement will still retain the father's name. Jewish and Muslim marriages were not recognized in many countries especially South Africa till recently, which means there are no marriage records. A Jewish marriage contract outlines the duties of each person including the family. Historically marriage is an institution that is filled with restrictions.
08/04/2011
