Family Law

"Taking Marriage Private"

By Alexander Rhoads

Today's New York Times contains this article on the historical development of increased governmental regulation of marriage, something traditionally (at least until the 19th century) left to the church in America.  The issuance of a marriage license used to be a societal signal telling others about the status of a relationship.  That is becoming increasingly less so:

Today, however, possession of a marriage license tells us little about people?s interpersonal responsibilities. Half of all Americans aged 25 to 29 are unmarried, and many of them already have incurred obligations as partners, parents or both. Almost 40 percent of America?s children are born to unmarried parents. Meanwhile, many legally married people are in remarriages where their obligations are spread among several households.

One point of interest to Iowa readers:  The author's comments about common-law marriage do not apply in Iowa.  Iowa is one of a just a few states that continues to recognize common-law marriage as being equally valid as a marriage with a piece of paper (the "license") issued by the state.

Full post as published by Iowa Divorce and Family Law on November 26, 2007 (boomark / email).