In American society, romantic love is considered the main reason for people to marry. On the other hand, in some societies, romantic love is considered a form of obsession or madness. In fact, even in many societies where "true love" is not considered a form of insanity, arranged marriages are still the norm. For example, in many cultures it's believed that marriage is basically an economic arrangement. Thus, a farmer needs a wife both to bear children and to share the farm work while raising new "hands" as additional farm labor. In other societies, marriage is mainly about cementing connections between families. Indeed, most marriages between members of European royal or aristocratic lineages were primarily aimed at creating trust, loyalty, and mutual obligations between privileged and powerful families. What is the main idea in this paragraph? A. True love is a sound basis for marriage. B. Marriage is usually a family affair. C. Arranged marriages are more practical than those based on romantic love. D. Different societies have different ideas about the purpose of marriage.

Social Studies · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020

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D. Different societies have different ideas about the purpose of marriage.

  • The concept of marriage varies greatly across different cultures and societies. In American society, the emphasis on romantic love as a foundation for marriage is a relatively modern idea, largely influenced by Western ideals and media. This notion suggests that individuals should marry someone they are deeply in love with for personal happiness and fulfillment.
  • However, in many other parts of the world, marriage has traditionally been seen as a practical arrangement with specific social, economic, or political purposes. For example, arranged marriages are common in certain societies where the main objective is to strengthen family ties, create alliances, maintain social status, or ensure economic stability. These marriages often involve a strategic negotiation between families and sometimes occur with limited input from the individuals getting married.

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