INTRODUCTION

Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally

recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and
obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between
them and their in-laws. It is considered a cultural universal,[citation needed]
 but the
definition of marriage varies between cultures and religions, and over time.
Typically, it is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual,
are acknowledged or sanctioned. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or
considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. A marriage
ceremony is called a wedding.

Human beings like all mammals, mate, copulate and have children. Like other
creatures too, they rear families which survive until the young become
independent. However, humans, unlike animals, mate and procreate in some
‘orderly way’ to which they have given the name ‘marriage’.

Marriage is the basis of human society. Marriage forms society as our social forms
are reinforced by marriage. It is a basic institution found in all human societies
because no other union of men and women meets all the requirements of mating,
home-making, love and personality development at the level of biological,
psychological, social, ethical and spiritual evolution.

MEANING OF MARRIAGE

he legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal

relationship (historically and in some jurisdictions specifically a union between a
man and a woman).
 TYPES OF MARRIAGES

Traditional/Customary marriage: is a marriage ceremony that has been

conducted in accordance with the customs of the bride and groom's families. In
Nigeria this could involve the paying of bride price, giving of gifts, etc. Marriage
under the Act is a marriage that has been performed in compliance with the
Marriage Act. Customary unions are also commonly known as traditional unions.
This type of marriage is regulated by customary law and is usually between a man
and a woman. Customary unions can be polygamous. It normally involves two
families, and the process is done according to the particular community or
communities involved and their traditions. A Yoruba union, for example, may
follow different traditions than an Igbo one.

Islamic marriage: are guided by the Islamic religion, which allows polygamy. A
man can marry up to four wives. For an Islamic marriage to be considered valid,
the following criteria should be met. The groom and the bride must consent to the
union verbally and in writing. A bridal gift must be issued to the bride, which
remains her property as security in the union. Two adult witnesses must be present
to verify the wedlock contract. The bride or the groom can issue contract
conditions which, if agreed upon, become legally-binding conditions of the union,
e.g. the wife’s right to continue her education and where the couple will reside.

Court marriage: is a legal contract that allows two people to marry without going
through a church or religious ceremony. The advantage of this type of marriage is
that it can be performed in any jurisdiction, including civil law countries.

A church wedding: is a ceremony held in a church and presided over by a

Christian pastor. Traditionally, Christian weddings occur in a church as Christian
marriage ideally begins where one also starts their faith journey (Christians receive
the sacrament of baptism in church in the presence of their congregation).

EXPLAIN PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE

Divorce

Cultural shifts in attitude and behavior over the past 75 years has helped to
redefine the meaning of marriage. In turn, these shifting beliefs have also
normalized and largely eliminated the stigma that once shrouded divorce.  The idea
of marriage as a lifelong commitment has changed significantly, and gradually
evolved to an emphasis on individual fulfillment and satisfaction. Some of the
causes of divorce are outlined as follows: Conflict, arguing, irretrievable
breakdown in the relationship, Lack of commitment, Infidelity / extramarital
affairs, Distance in the relationship / lack of physical intimacy, Communication
problems between partners, Domestic violence, verbal, physical, or emotional
abuse by a partner, Realization that one’s spouse has different values /
morals ,Substance abuse / alcohol addiction, Absence of romantic intimacy / love,
One partner not carrying their weight in the marriage, Financial problems / debt

Solution

Divorce can be solved by the two coming together to understand each other and if
it’s not possible someone elderly or of more experience help them out

Infidelity

Infidelity is one of the most common marriage problems in relationships. The

most recent data suggests that about 20 percent of interviewed men admitted to
cheating on their partner compared to 10 percent of women. It includes cheating
and having emotional affairs.

Other instances included in infidelity are one-night stands, physical infidelity,

internet relationships, and long and short-term affairs. Infidelity occurs in a
relationship for many different reasons; it is a common problem and one that
various couples are struggling to find a solution to.

Solution: How to fix marriage problems pertaining to infidelity?

Infidelity can happen when the connection in your relationship is not strong and
can cause a breakdown of trust. Research reveals that maintaining a strong
emotional bond, sexual intimacy, and respecting boundaries are the three key ways
to combat infidelity in your relationship.

Values and beliefs

Certainly, there will be differences and disagreements within a marriage, but some

differences are too significant to ignore, such as core values and beliefs. One
spouse may have one religion, and the other may have a different belief. 

Differences in values may lead to an emotional chasm, among other common

marriage problems. 

As you may have guessed, this could cause significant trouble when one spouse
gets tired of doing things separately, such as going to different places of worship.

Such marriage problems are widespread in cross-cultural marriages. Other

differences include core values.
These include the way children are reared and the things they were taught during
their childhood, such as the definition of right and wrong. 

Since everyone does not grow up with the same belief systems, morals, and goals,
there is much room for debate and conflict within the relationship.

Solution: The only solutions to conflicts arising from different values are

communication and compromise. And in matters where compromise isn’t possible,
the best solution is to be understanding and agree to disagree on these matters.

Communication problems

Communication encompasses both verbal and non-verbal cues, which is why even
if you have known someone for a long time, a slight change in the facial
expression or any other form of body language can be misunderstood.

Men and women communicate very differently and can fall into a habitat of
improper communication. If such relationship or marriage issues are allowed to
fester, then the sanctity of marriage is definitely at stake. 

Healthy communication is the foundation for success in marriage.

Solution: Harmful communication patterns can become a habit, and the only way

to remedy them is to make a conscious effort towards improvement. Little by little,
you can learn healthy ways of communicating that enhance the relationship and the
individuals equally.

Lack of attention
Humans are social creatures and are avid seekers of attention from others,
especially those closest to them.

Every marriage, over time, suffers a common relationship problem, ‘lack of

attention,’ where a couple, intentionally or unintentionally, redirects their attention
to other aspects of their lives.

Lack of attention changes the chemistry of marriage, which instigates one or the
spouse to act out and overreact. This problem in marriage, if not dealt with
appropriately, can then spiral out of control.

Solution: Listen to your partner, first and foremost. You can also try to take up a
couple’s activities like dancing or hiking, which can help you give attention to
each other in a refreshing new way. It can help you tune out the noise of daily life
and genuinely focus on each other.

12. Financial issues

Nothing can break a marriage faster than money. If you are opening a joint
account or handling your finances separately, you will encounter financial
problems in your marriage. It is essential to discuss any financial issues as a couple
openly.

Solution: Finances can be a sensitive topic, and couples should carefully discuss

these problems. Try to come up with a plan that meets your shared financial goals.
Also, try to make sure that the motivation is discussed openly if someone deviates
from the plan. 
Trust issues

This common marriage trouble can rot your marriage from the inside, leaving no
chance of restoring your relationship.

The idea of trust in a marriage is still very conventional and, at times, puts too

much strain on a marriage when the doubt starts to seep into a relationship.

Solution: With the assistance of a therapist, open communication can help a

couple understand the reasons for their mistrust and ways that they can resolve
them. The therapist could also suggest some trust-building exercises to help you
learn how to trust each other.

PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE

The general purpose of marriage is that the sexes can provide company to one
another, love to one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to
the commandments of Allah. Marriage serves as a means to emotional and sexual
gratification and as a means of tension reduction. When a man and woman get
married, the “two become one.” Marriage is a bond like no other. It gives us a life
partner, a teammate, as we move through the challenges of life together.

Marriage is designed for purity. We face temptation nearly every minute and from
all directions. The bond of marriage gives us the support to defeat temptation by
engaging in deep, satisfying love a love that gives to, and receives from, our mate
physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

When a marriage produces a child or receives a child through adoption, it is one of

life’s greatest blessings. Roughly 40% of children being raised today are in a home
without a father. The effects of that fact are staggering. Father absence causes
increases in mental and behavioral disorders as well as criminal activity and
substance abuse. But when children are raised in a healthy marriage, they get a
front row seat to see and experience the lasting benefits of a strong family.

CONCLUSION

Marriage is the union of a man and a woman either by, court, church, mosque, or
traditionally. And thus just like any other union marriage also has its strength and
weaknesses and also have solutions to this weaknesses, and the main purpose of
marriage is providing company and helping hand to one another and for the main
purpose of bring up a new generation.

REFERENCES

Haviland, William A.; Prins, Harald E.L.; McBride, Bunny; Walrath, Dana
(2011). Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (13th ed.). Cengage
Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-81178-7. "A nonethnocentric definition of
marriage is a culturally sanctioned union between two or more people that
establishes certain rights and obligations between the people, between them
and their children, and between them and their in-laws."

Westermarck, Edward (1 April 2003). History of Human Marriage 1922. Kessinger

Publishing. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-7661-4618-1.

 Westermarck, Edward (1936). The Future of Marriage in Western Civilisation.

Books for Libraries Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8369-5304-6.

Baten, Joerg; de Pleijt, Alexandra M. (2018). "Girl power Generates Superstars in

Long-term Development: Female Autonomy and Human Capital Formation
in Early Modern Europe". CEPR Working Paper. 13348.

 Oxford English Dictionary 11th Edition, "marriage"