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'''Marriage''' is a form of interpersonal relationship; a kind of social contract. The word "marriage" by itself encompasses a broad range of meanings,<ref>The American Heritage dictionary includes legal marriage between a man and a woman, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage[http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/M0120200.html]</ref> but it is often short for ''Christian marriage'' or ''holy matrimony,'' which is ordained by God and considered a [[sacrament]] by [[Roman Catholics]][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm] (but not most [[Protestant]] denominations).  In a few times and places, other forms existed, such as [[polygamy]] (multiple spouses) and [[homosexuality#Homosexuality and Marriage|homosexual]] marriage (two people of the same sex).

'''Marriage''' is a form of interpersonal relationship; a kind of social contract. The word "marriage" by itself encompasses a broad range of meanings,<ref>The American Heritage dictionary includes legal marriage between a man and a woman, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage[http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/M0120200.html]</ref> but it is often short for ''Christian marriage'' or ''holy matrimony,'' which is ordained by God and considered a [[sacrament]] by [[Roman Catholics]][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm] (but not most [[Protestant]] denominations).  In a few times and places, other forms existed, such as [[polygamy]] (multiple spouses) and [[homosexuality#Homosexuality and Marriage|homosexual]] marriage (two people of the same sex).

In most cultures, marriage is regarded as a life-long commitment to another person, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony (called a [[wedding]]) to each other and, if the participants are Christian, before God.<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/marriage/marriage.html The Marriage Service], ''The Church of England'', Retrieved 20 March 2007</ref> Unfortunately, sometimes people do not or cannot maintain that commitment, and the marriage ends in [[divorce]].

In most cultures, marriage is regarded as a life-long commitment to another person, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony (called a [[wedding]]) to each other and, if the participants follow a religious faith such as Christianity, Judaism or Islam, before God.<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/marriage/marriage.html The Marriage Service], ''The Church of England'', Retrieved 20 March 2007</ref> Unfortunately, sometimes people do not or cannot maintain that commitment, and the marriage ends in [[divorce]].

In most countries, married couples are treated as a single economic entity, and when one partner dies, the other may inherit all of their property in a simpler system than would be required without the marriage.

In most countries, married couples are treated as a single economic entity, and when one partner dies, the other may inherit all of their property in a simpler system than would be required without the marriage.