Marriage In Ancient China example essay topic

An Old Age Social Issue: Marriage in China When God created the universe, he made a man. Then, feeling that the man is too lonely, He made a woman to be the man's companion. The couple lived together and gave birth to their children. The story in the Old Testament was the first marriage in the world. Marriage is the social institution uniting men and women together. Since then, founding and maintaining families, as well as reproduction are being the main purpose of marriage.

Although marriage customs varied greatly from one culture to another, the importance of the institution is universally acknowledged. In China, reproduction is the most important role in the marriage. In ancient China, the matchmaker, who recommended the bride to the groom's family, would always emphasize that the bride had the ability to give birth to many children. If the parents of the groom liked the girl and promised to pay the requested dowry, the marriage will be arranged on a lucky day they chose. The first time the couple met each other will be at the marriage ceremony.

The bride's main duties are to give birth to as any children as possible and to take care everything in the house, including serving her father and mother-in-law. In order to give birth to more children, polygamy is legalized. If after one or two years, a woman could not give birth to a son, her husband might abandon her. Infant betrothal or marriage in ancient China has made women the victims of the marriage.

Women are forced to accept the marriage which caused them to suffer their whole life. They have to accept the marriage arranged by their parents. Moreover, in order to take care the baby boy, rich people always buy a teenager girl to be the wife of the boy. The daughter-in-law, actually a maid, has to take care her young husband since then. When the boy grows up, he will not love his wife because she is much older than him. Nowadays people are free to choose his / her lover.

They choose anyone they like, rich or poor, white, yellow or black. When both the lovers think that it is the time for them to form a family, they can get engaged if they want, or just get married. None can forbid a legal marriage, even the parents of the young couple. Marriage becomes a very personal affair between couples. The concept of marriage has had a big change compared to the ancient time.

Marriage between old people are very popular nowadays but it is not accepted in the past. Divorce, on the other side, is also very popular. The number of divorce is increasing every year in all societies that allow divorce, except those dominated by religions such as Hinduism and Roman Catholicism that regard marriage as indissoluble. One of the American famous actresses, Elizabeth Tay or, had divorced more than eight times.

Logically, free marriages, which are built on the foundation of true love, should keep the couples together until one of them dies. Unfortunately, the concept and the point of view of people have changed a lot. People is now more self-centered. Marriage to some of them is just a game. When the game is over, a new companion will provide a fresh feeling, more fun and a form of excitement. They don't want to be restricted or tied down by their marriage.

Moreover, children may be a burden to some of them. People getting married nowadays, does not for reproduction only, but also for sexual needs and excitement.