Marriage is a central concept in almost all cultures in the world as it enhances propagation and continuation of a particular family, community, race, or nation. However, it is important to know that there are no perfect or imperfect cultural practices in marriage since each culture has the discretion to determine what is moral or immoral. This cultural determination of what is right or wrong is what is known as cultural relativism.
Marriage as an Expression of Cultural Norms and Values
Marriage is typically an expression of cultural norms and values since each culture has different perspectives, expectations, and rules associated with marriage. While some societies accept polygamy, polyandry, open marriages, gay marriages among other forms of marriage other societies detest such arrangements. In essence, such societies believe that marriage is a sacred union, which deserves to be kept pure and honorable. In some cultures, for example, it is normal for men to sleep with any woman of their choice or marry as many wives as possible (Rachels, 2014). Additionally, in some cultures, it is a normal thing for spouses to embrace an open marriage, which allows both to sleep with other people.
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Forms of Marriage
There are several forms of marriages as there are several cultures. As it is, there are two main types of marriages that are religious and civil marriages and these two types are basically monogamously allowing for one man and one woman. However, it is important to understand that there are several other marriage arrangements as determined by various cultures. The main cultural marriages encompass the principles of polygamy, bigamy, polyandry, gay marriages, open marriages, and swapping of spouses. Each of these cultures owes the right to decide what is favorable or not, depending on their cultural expectations, ambitions, goals and social codes. While some individuals might think that some of these marriage arrangements are unethical, it is important to understand that what is right or ethical is relative depending on the culture (Kanarek, 2013). In essence, there is no universal ethical code governing marriage thanks to the concept of cultural relativism.
References
Kanarek, J. (2013). Critiquing Cultural Relativism. The Intellectual Standard, 2(2), 1-14.
Rachels, J. (2014). The challenge of cultural relativism. In S. Kahn (ed.), Exploring Ethics (pp.54-66). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
