Final answer:
Marriage is a legally and socially approved union that has historically been seen as a bond between a woman and man, but now also includes same-sex couples. Definitions of marriage vary cross-culturally and have evolved to reflect shifts in societal attitudes and legal recognitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marriage is a socially approved legal and emotional union, traditionally between a woman and a man. However, anthropological and sociological insights reveal a more complex picture where the definition of marriage can vary significantly across cultures and over time. Monogamous marriages involve the union of two adults, which can be a man and a woman, two men, or two women. This form of marriage is especially well adapted to societies and cultures where family units are highly mobile. Marriage serves multiple functions, including raising offspring, creating alliances, and providing political and economic benefits.
Legal and social attitudes towards marriage have evolved, particularly relating to same-sex couples. The US Supreme Court's landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage, while many Western countries have followed suit. Therefore, today's understanding of marriage extends beyond the traditional union of a woman and man to embrace unions between two consenting adults, regardless of gender.