Re:Half the men in Seattle are never-married singles, census...
by ben_w on Monday April 14, 2025 @04:23AM
(#43679211)
The institutions, plural, of marriage varied wildly over that time.
Dowries vs. free, monogamy vs. polygamy, common law marriage vs. ceremony, wives being property vs. independent people, self-determined vs. marriages arranged by parents, and this biblical passage:
"Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him" (NIV, Matt 22:24)
And it's not like no country has implemented mandatory childcare payments outside wedlock.
Dowries vs. free, monogamy vs. polygamy, common law marriage vs. ceremony, wives being property vs. independent people, self-determined vs. marriages arranged by parents, and this biblical passage:
"Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him" (NIV, Matt 22:24)
And it's not like no country has implemented mandatory childcare payments outside wedlock.