Final answer:
Marriage was held with varying levels of seriousness in the minds of slave owners, often used as a tool for control and exploitation. Some respected the institution, while others used it for economic reasons. The threat of disruption through sale or forced separation was always present.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marriage was held with varying levels of seriousness in the minds of slave owners. While there were instances where slave owners recognized and respected the institution of marriage among slaves, it was often used as a tool for control and exploitation. Some slave owners allowed slaves to marry to promote the birth of children and maintain harmony on plantations, while others forced certain individuals to form unions for economic reasons. However, the threat of disruption, through sale or forced separation, was always present. Overall, the seriousness of marriage among slave owners depended on their individual attitudes and motivations.