Question

Why must be careful when making assumptions about a practice that you feel is culturally universal? ( incorporate your thoughts about the meaning of marriage)

Answer 1

Marriage is a social institution which is culturally universal. In different cultures around the world, marriage is common. In different cultures, marriage takes place following different rituals and traditions, but it is commonly the union of a male and a female that helps in the continuity of mankind around the world. It is extremely important to maintain a specific order in society and help in the persistence of mankind on earth via reproduction. It is indeed a practice that helps one to proceed in the stages of development. Marriage is an important turning point in one's life. We should be careful while making assumptions about marriage because biased views about the social institution of marriage can be detrimental for married people and people connected to these people. There are people who assume marriage to be only detrimental to one's sense of identity. They consider marriage to be nothing but a sacrifice done for the sake of others. People assume that marriage is a form of dependency that will only burden one of the two partners. Under such pressures, people tend to crumble and end up separating from each other. What people see is only the potential negative side of marriage, which can be alleviated by understanding the positive consequences of marriage. There are people who are afraid of marriage due to the breakdown of marriages for trivial reasons. Assuming marriage to be positive, can lead to stability in one's life with a greater tolerance for each other's faults. Stability is a boon of marriage which helps in the creation of a strong, closely net unit called family. So, it can be said that we must be careful about making assumptions about marriage. False, unreal, or inapplicable assumptions can deprive a person of the benefits of unity and having a family.