History of
Marriage
Ancient Hebrew
usually arranged—between patriarchal extended families
 generally involved a bride price to the bride’s family to
compensate for the loss of the daughter’s work contributions
 bride had a dowry from her family to set up her new
household and gained dower rights to obtain property from
her husband for her support if he ended the marriage
 the purpose of the marriage was to produce sons (heirs)
 relationships were affectionate but not “love”
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thus, marriage was primarily an economic arrangement with
provisions made for the female if she could not reproduce
Ancient Rome
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like Hebrew marriages—patriarchy was the basis
for marriage with an emphasis on producing
heirs
strictly monogamous
women had more power since men were away
so much fighting battles
in the upper class, marriage was a time to attain
riches and political advantage—
divorce became common—thus disorganization
and instability became a focus for the Early
Christian apostles
Middle Ages
 marriage
system was informal, loosely
organized, and casually enforced
 then, inheritance necessitated the
regulation of marriage and legitimacy of
children
 the Christian Church began to regulate
marriage, decreeing it to be a sacrament
that required witnesses and a public
record
Protestant Reformation
 marriage
considered the ideal state
 romantic love, then, the basis for mate
selection and marriage
 still important from an economic point but
free choice preferred
First Nations
 many
First Nations families were matrilineal
and matrilocal to maintain stability while
men were away hunting—therefore
women had more status than men
 marriages usually arranged becoming
official when a couple had a child—
marriages were expected to be enduring
European Contact
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marriage à la façon du pays—temporary marriage
contracts “in the style of the country” between French and
English fur traders or soldiers whose stay in Canada might
be short and First Nations women since few European
women were available
marriage contracts put in place by 1821 by the Hudson’s
Bay Company to assure that wives and children would be
looked after even if a fur trader or soldier returned to
Europe
this marriage practice declined when French women were
encouraged to come to Canada to marry French male
colonists to increase the French population of New France
marriage existed primarily for the provision of heirs
families were primarily units of economic production
19th-Century Canada
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marriages somewhat arranged in that they were
subjected to the approval of her parents although,
by the end of the 19th century it was free choice
ceremonies tended to correspond to agricultural
cycles—June (after planting) and September (after
harvest)
averages ages: females 26 and males 29
divorce was rare—marriage regarded as a
sacrament by the Catholic Church and a sacred
institution by Protestants.
marriage largely satisfied the agricultural
communities, supporting large work forces with
children and maintaining division of labour in homes
and families
20th-Century Canada
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marriage ages continued to be later largely due to economic
hardship of the 1930s, which led many couples to postpone their
weddings
after World War II, marriage and traditional roles of men and
women were seen as a way to return to a normal life;
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ages of marriage reduced—average age 25 for males and 22 for
females
marriage considered the natural thing to do and an
achievement of adult status
when women married, they often gave up jobs to support the
traditional roles of women in the home; husbands were expected
to earn enough to support the family
in the latter half of the 20th century, the influence of immigration
highly impacted on marriage expectations, rituals, and practices;
the division of labour changed with both men and women
engaged in careers and work; more egalitarian relationships
ensued
Contemporary Canada
 marriage
still popular, although other
practices entering into relationships, such
as cohabitation and same-sex
arrangements
 divorce accepted
 ages extended to late 20s
 marriage still regarded as a primary social
group and the foundation for the family
Conclusion
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Marriage is still popular and the most basic unit of
Canadian society.
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It is the provision for supporting and maintaining
children.
Ages of first marriage have fluctuated largely due to
economic aspects.
Where the church was once the regulator of marriage,
other practices, including cohabitation, have
emerged.
Divorce has become legalized and easier to obtain.
Originally, marriages were arranged to promote
economic stability—while today many marriages are
based on romantic love.
Prospective grooms still seek permission from the bride’s
parent; this is usually an informal formality.
Arranged marriages are still a part of Canadian society
due to increasing immigration trends