Concept & Types of Marriage JSS2 Social Studies Lesson Note

 CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE

Marriage is the legalized coming together of a man and a woman to live as husband and wife. It is a legal relationship that exists between two mature opposite sex for procreation and fellowship.

A normal marriage relationship must receive the consent or backing of the family of the man and the woman.

Marriage gives the man the opportunity to perform the role of the needs of the family and the woman the role of the homemaker and manager.

It also provides a medium through which societal values, norms, and beliefs are passed to the next generation through the process of socialization.

Types of marriage

There are three types of marriages in Nigeria

1. Religious marriage (Christian and Islamic marriage)
2. Traditional marriage
3. Court marriage
4.  Religious marriage: there are two types of religious marriage in Nigeria. Christian marriage: This is the joining together of a man and a woman in a church by a priest, pastor, or any man of God to become husband and wife as the case may be.

The Christian marriage recognizes monogamy. Monogamy simply means one man having just only one wife.

A certificate is signed by the couple, the clergyman, and the witnesses of the couple. This certificate makes the marriage to be legally binding.

1.     Islamic marriage: – This is a marriage Solemnized according to Islamic religious injunctions. It is normally called “Nikai” and conducted in the mosque or private homes by a recognized in the presence of the couples lmam families, friends, and well-wishers.

At the end of the ceremony, a certificate is signed by the couple, the lmam, and Family representatives and given to the couple. This makes the marriage legally binding.

However, unlike the Christian marriage, the Islamic marriage allows polygamy. This means that the man is free to marry more than one wife.

2.     Traditional or Customary Marriage: – This is the kind of marriage performed or conducted according to Africa tradition or culture. The form it takes differs from one culture or tribe to another.

During the Ceremony, the husband pays the bride price, either in cash or kind depending on the practice of the community the ceremony is taking place. Like the Islamic marriage traditional marriage allows polygamy. 

3.     Court /Ordinance Marriage: – This is also known as marriage under the Marriage Act. It is usually conducted in a marriage registry by the marriage registrar.

  It is usually witnessed by families, friends, and well-wishers of the couple. A certificate is issued to the couple. Like marriage, it allows monogamy that is one man.‘One woman, however, the couple can ask for a divorce if they cannot live together as husband and wife.

This can only take place after five years of marriage has been contracted

Forms of Marriage

The two forms of marriage are: –

1.     Monogamy
2.     Polygamy
3.     polyandry
4.   Monogamy: – This form of marriage allows a man to marry only one wife. The Christian marriage and marriage under the Marriage Act are monogamous.
5.   Polygamous: This are two forms of polygamy- This is a form of marriage where a man marries more than two wives at the same time.

Polyandry: – This is a form of marriage where a woman marries more than a man at the same time.