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Civil marriage is a legal [[contract]]. In the state constitutions of almost all states{{fact}}, this contract must be between one man and one woman. It gives each member certain rights and obligations. Most commonly, these include [[power of attorney]], [[inheritance]] rights, sharing finances, and rights in relation to any children they may have. With the advent of no-fault divorce, most of these rights and obligations can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason.

'''Civil marriage''' is a legal [[contract]]. In the constitutions of almost all U.S. states{{fact}}, this contract must be between one man and one woman. It gives each member certain rights and obligations. Most commonly, these include [[power of attorney]], [[inheritance]] rights, sharing finances, and rights in relation to any children they may have. With the advent of no-fault divorce, most of these rights and obligations can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason.

Historically, these rights are given to ensure that if the breadwinner dies, a stay at home spouse will be able to support themself and any children from the marriage.{{fact}}

Historically, these rights are given to ensure that if the breadwinner dies, a stay-at-home spouse and any children from the marriage will be financially supported.{{fact}}

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.

African-American marriages were not legally recognized in the [[United States]] until after the [[Civil War]], and mixed race couples were only allowed to marry in all areas of the US after a 1967 decision in the [[United States Supreme Court]].<ref> [[Virginia v Loving]] </ref> Before that time, 16 states prohibited [[interracial marriage]]. Disapproval of interracial relationships was once justified as divinely ordained and public opinion polls taken in 1968 indicated that 72% of Americans disapproved of interracial marriages.{{fact}}

African-American marriages were not legally recognized in the [[United States]] until after the [[Civil War]], and mixed race couples were only allowed to marry in all areas of the U.S. after a 1967 decision in the [[United States Supreme Court]].<ref> [[Loving v. Virginia]] </ref> Before that time, 16 states prohibited [[interracial marriage]]. Disapproval of interracial relationships was once justified as divinely ordained and public opinion polls taken in 1968 indicated that 72% of Americans disapproved of interracial marriages.{{fact}}

 

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Sociology]]

[[Category:Sociology]]