Final answer:
God's original design for marriage was a lifelong, monogamous union, traditionally based on a sexual relationship implying permanence, and is recognized legally between two people. Marriage serves not only to nurture offspring but also to create alliances and provide socioeconomic stability, adaptable to cultural norms and legal frameworks.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Chapter 2, God's original design for marriage was to be a lifelong and monogamous union. This concept is rooted in the biblical passage stating, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh". Marriage is defined in various ways, but for the purposes of this explanation, it can be seen as a legally recognized social contract between two people, traditionally based on a sexual relationship and implying a permanence of the union. Furthermore, anthropologists categorize marriage customs into primarily two types: monogamy, which involves a union of only two spouses, and polygamy, which entails a union with more than two spouses. The function of marriage extends beyond reproduction; it creates alliances, establishes social stability, addresses socioeconomic challenges, and is subject to different cultural norms and legal interpretations, as in the case of same-sex marriage being legalized in many countries.