The Importance of Marriage in Society

22 min

Why does every society have marriage?

Customs differ enormously, yet anthropologists have found some form of marriage in almost every human society they have studied. Rwanda's Constitution goes further and calls the family "the natural foundation of the Rwandan society", which "is protected by the State" (Article 18). Why should something as personal as marriage matter so much to a whole nation?

This lesson draws the unit together. It weighs the importance of marriage for spouses, children, families and society, looks at how civil marriage protects property, and gives a fair place to people who do not marry.

Definition

Social institution: an established pattern of relationships and rules that meets a basic need of society, such as the family, education or religion.

Matrimonial regime: the system, chosen by spouses when they marry, that decides who owns and manages their property. Rwandan law offers three (Law N° 71 of 2024, Articles 155–162).

Community of property: spouses own all their property jointly. Limited community of property: spouses pool what they owned from the date of marriage and what they acquire during it, under the terms the law sets. Separation of property: each spouse keeps and manages his or her own property and contributes to household expenses according to ability.

Inheritance: the passing of property to others, especially children and spouses, when a person dies.

The importance of marriage

For spouses. Companionship, love and mutual help: "Two are better than one … if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow" (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10); "that ye might find rest in them" (Qur'an 30:21).
For children. A stable home in which to be cared for and educated (Law N° 71 of 2024, Article 240), a clear legal identity and rights to inheritance. "Children are a heritage of Yahweh" (Psalm 127:3).
For families. In Rwandan tradition, gusaba and gukwa join two families in an alliance of mutual support, which helps in times of need and in caring for elders.
For society. Marriage passes on language, values and faith; it organises cooperation, encourages responsibility and supports social order; and it is the main setting in which a nation renews itself through children.
For faith. Christians see marriage as a covenant or sacrament reflecting Christ's love (Ephesians 5:25); Muslims see it as a "strong pledge" (4:21) and an act of obedience to God (24:32).

Worked example

Worked example: how the matrimonial regime protects a spouse (illustrative figures)

Alice and Bosco marry. Alice brings a plot worth 6,000,000 Frw; during the marriage they build a house worth 18,000,000 Frw. Their total property is 24,000,000 Frw. Years later they divorce.

Community of property. All property is joint, so in principle it is shared equally: $\frac{24\,000\,000}{2} = 12\,000\,000$ Frw each.

Separation of property. Each keeps what is in his or her own name. If the house was registered in Bosco's name only, Alice keeps her plot (6,000,000 Frw) and must prove her contributions to claim any share of the house.

No civil marriage at all. If they had only cohabited, Alice would have no spouse's rights, and recovering her share could mean a long dispute.

Conclusion. Choosing a regime openly at the civil marriage, and registering property in both names where agreed, protects both spouses, and especially the one with less money or power. This is one practical reason why the law insists on civil marriage.

Not everyone marries

Valuing marriage does not mean that unmarried people are worth less. Paul, who was single, wrote: "each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am" (1 Corinthians 7:7–8). Jesus spoke of some who remain unmarried "for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake" (Matthew 19:12), the root of celibacy for Catholic priests and religious sisters and brothers. Islam strongly encourages marriage for all who are able ("marry such of you as are solitary", 24:32) and says that monasticism was "invented" by some, not ordained by God (57:27); yet it honours those who cannot marry.

Some people do not marry because of poverty, illness, the loss of a partner or personal choice; many widows and widowers in Rwanda lost spouses in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. A just society respects them all. A marriage, too, is valuable only when it is safe: no religion or law asks a person to remain in danger, and Rwandan law gives victims of violence protection and help.

Tip

Circles of importance. Figure 1 gives you a structure for "Explain the importance of marriage": spouses, children, families, community. Give each circle one point and one source, then add a counter-point, such as the dignity of single people or the harm of an abusive marriage.

Warning

Do not confuse a wedding with a marriage. The importance of marriage lies in the commitment and the legal protection, not in the size or cost of the celebration. Couples who delay civil marriage while saving for a large wedding leave themselves and their children unprotected.

Important

Discuss. Some young Rwandans say that the cost of gusaba, gukwa and the reception delays marriage for years. Should families simplify ceremonies? What would be gained and what might be lost?

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Practice

What does Article 18 of the Constitution say about the family?
Give two ways marriage is important for spouses and two for children.
Name and explain the three matrimonial regimes in Law N° 71 of 2024.
Under community of property (illustrative), a couple owns property worth 30,000,000 Frw. How much is each spouse's share if it is divided equally?
How do Christianity and Islam each regard people who do not marry?
Explain why civil marriage gives more protection than cohabitation.
"Marriage is less important today than in the past." Evaluate this view with reference to Rwanda.

Show answersHide answers

The family, being the natural foundation of Rwandan society, is protected by the State.
Spouses: companionship and love; mutual help and security. Children: a stable home for care and education; legal identity and inheritance rights.
Community of property: spouses own all property jointly. Limited community of property: spouses pool property owned from the date of marriage and acquired during it, under the law's terms. Separation of property: each keeps and manages his or her own property and contributes to household expenses according to ability.
$\frac{30\,000\,000}{2} = 15\,000\,000$ Frw each.
Christianity honours celibacy as a gift (1 Corinthians 7:7–8; Matthew 19:12), for example for priests and religious sisters. Islam strongly encourages marriage for all who are able (24:32) and does not ordain monastic celibacy (57:27), but respects those who cannot marry.
Civil marriage gives each spouse legal rights to property under the chosen matrimonial regime, to inheritance and to support, and clear legal parentage for children; cohabiting partners have no spouse's rights, so a separation or death can leave one of them, often the woman, without property.
A balanced answer: some changes suggest less importance, such as later marriage, more cohabitation and divorce, and the cost of ceremonies. But marriage remains central in law (Constitution, Articles 17–18; Law N° 71 of 2024), in faith and in culture, and its protective role for women and children may matter more than ever. Judgement: its form is changing more than its importance.

1Why does every society have marriage?

2The importance of marriage

3Not everyone marries

Why does every society have marriage?

The importance of marriage

Not everyone marries