THE EVOLUTION OF MARRIAGE PRACTICES ACROSS CULTURES: TRADITIONS, TRANSFORMATIONS, AND CONTEMPORARY TRENDS

Abstract

Marriage, as a social and cultural institution, has evolved significantly across time and cultures. This article explores the diverse forms and meanings of marriage in human societies, from traditional arranged unions to contemporary companionate partnerships. By examining anthropological, historical, and sociological perspectives, it traces how marriage practices have adapted to changes in gender roles, economics, legal structures, and globalization. Through comparative case studies, the paper highlights how cultural values shape marital norms, and how these norms continue to shift in response to modernization, migration, and activism for gender and sexual equality. It concludes by reflecting on the future trajectories of marriage in a rapidly globalizing world..