ABSTRACT
Many girls and young women dream of a beautiful white wedding, where they can be queen for the day. For young men, the idea of marriage often marks the transition into adulthood, a time when they become responsible adults rather than immature playboys. For men, marriage also confirms their heterosexuality, as a middle-aged single man can easily be suspected of being gay. Marriage is seen as a mark of maturity and earns social status for the married couple. However, if we look beyond the lavish weddings, we can see that marriage is more than just a white dress, bridesmaids’ gowns and lots of gifts. Marriage is a legal contract. Historically, marriage laws have served to regulate sexual behavior and enforce gender roles and notions of racial and national purity. Socially, families that do not meet the romantic notion of the husband, wife, and children, are considered deviant. Politically, marriage is promoted as the solution to reducing crime, eradicating poverty, and expanding health insurance. Advocates of same-sex marriage point out that marriage provides benefits to the couple that can be obtained in no other way.
