Marriage: a social contract on a smaller scale.

In some cultures, marriage is undoubtedly a measure intended for socio-economic stability. In the documentary we viewed the third week in class about bride kidnapping, it seemed that the traditional Azerbaijanis married in order to preserve their pastoral way of life. To marry for love in this culture was seen as foolish. We as americans can rely on people in our lives beyond our significant others. When there is not an established government, power is divided up among the strongest and most influential. A family can gain influence, power, and strength by carefully choosing or arranging who marries into the family. If in the Azerbaijani society, one married for love, one takes a great risk that the person they marry will not be a competant worker. In these instances marriage is is not only a bond between two people; it is a social contract ensuring the survival of an entire lineage of people.