Final answer:
Marriage is seen as a legally recognized social contract, though its definition varies across cultures and has evolved over time to include same-sex unions and alternative family structures. It is a societal institution that creates social structures for raising offspring and helps create economic and social stability, yet it faces challenges such as divorce.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of marriage is complex and varies across societies and cultures. From a sociological perspective, it can be defined as a legally recognized social contract between two people, often rooted in a sexual relationship and signifying a permanent bond.
Throughout history, marriage and family have been closely intertwined, serving as foundational structures within society. In the modern context, marriage patterns have broadened, with increasing recognition for same-sex unions and various forms of cohabitation.
Marriage can serve to establish alliances and offer economic and social stability within family units. It can also be seen as a means to raise and nurture offspring, although this is not necessary for all marriages. In cultural relativism, the legal requirements for marriage, the number of people involved, and whether the institution is viewed through a religious or civil lens are all aspects that require consideration.
Challenges to marital stability include divorce, which, despite a decrease in rates over the past twenty-five years, still has significant effects, especially on children. As society evolves, so do our concepts of marriage and family, as evidenced by shifts towards cohabitation, same-sex partnerships, and alternative family structures.