Is the only purpose of marriage to have children?

Question

I understand that historically, yes it was, but now, in this day and age, is it the only purpose of marriage?

Answer 1

No. The commitment found in marriage really REALLY makes for a safe place to grow in intimate and sexual relationship. The boundaries of marriage are powerful. I choose my wife "to the exclusion of all others." She does the same for me. It honors her. It honors me.

And actually - I don't think the only purpose of sex is to have children. I had a great philosophy professor in college who wrote a whole book called the "Amazing Bodied Human." (currently out of print) In it he shows over and over again that we were created for "personhood." There are things inherent in our biology that set us WAY apart from the animal kingdom.

In the chapter about sex, he postulated that sex was intended (created) for pleasure in a face to face relational encounter. We are built (like no other animal) to have sex face to face - and have more receptors for pleasure than any other creature.

Pretty cool.

Answer 2

Well no of course not...a marriage is a commitment between two people. The promise is basically to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives. The part most people forget about is the "and forsaking all others" and thats what gets us into so much trouble.

One more thing. Marriage in the old days was important in the having of children so that a liniage could be established. It was often political in nature in that treaties were sealed by having marriages between the tribes or clans which would keep the families from declaring war on each other.

Answer 3

No. The purpose of marriage is to get a taste of the Communion of Persons (the love flowing between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). In Biblical terms, the Father and the Son experience such a deep love that it creates a new Person: the Holy Spirit. In the same way, husband and wife are given the priviledge of experiencing such a love that a third person is born. It is precisely in this way that Genesis says that we are made in "the image and likeness of God."

Thus, the purpose of marriage is not solely to have children, though it is a requisite for the marital act. Another requisite of the marital act is that it expresses unity and love (contraception is a violation of this unity and love because a condom, for instance, places a barrier between man and woman, and other means suggest that "I love you, but not enough to let you bear my children").

Marriage goes much deeper than having children; it is a reflection of God Himself. If its only purpose was having children, then marriage wouldn't even be necessary... there are plenty of people out there having children out of the sacred institution of Marriage, but they aren't experiencing the love which is a taste of heaven. This is the true purpose of marriage, and, for this reason, to take advantage of the marital act outside of marriage is sinful, as it is not being used for the reason for which it was created. It really is quite beautiful when you have a proper understanding, and it just makes sense.

Answer 4

I don't believe that the sole purpose of marriage was ever just to have children.

Becoming "one" is quite an undertaking. It means that I have to consider someone else's needs, wants and perspective. I have to honor someone's else's strengths and gracefully compensate for someone else's weaknesses. We have much to learn from each other on the road to oneness. Chiefly, humility.

I agree with the post above that marriage is a foretaste of God's unity. The church is described as the Bride of Christ. This is not about bearing children, but enjoying union and relationship.

Love, in it's purest sense, demands humility, selflessness, and service. We become better people for loving and being loved.

I realize that it doesn't always happen, but marriage should be the ultimate close, deeply satisfying relationship. As close to heaven on earth as we can get.

Answer 5

NO! If that was true then all the teenage mothers of the world would be married, which they are not.

The purpose of marriage is to solidify an agreement between two people that care deeply about each other that they have each others backs for life through sickness and through health, through the rich life and through the poor, through thick and through thin. A best friend that never goes away except in death.

Answer 6

I definitely do not see my marriage of almost four years as having the purpose of making babies! I dont have intentions of having kids for awhile if ever and it seems I meet more couples like that each day.

As far as the public in general, it seems like marriage and family are not going hand in hand as they used to. Many, many children are born out of wedlock, and many are born in wedlock that does not last. People are stretching the definitions of family every day which is something that I embrace and encourage. To each their own!

p.s. I like your questions Bettierage, they really make you think!

Answer 7

No. Humans need other people, and the dual purpose of marriage is to have children, AND provide a bonded companionship to each other.

Answer 8

People get married for a million different reasons from social pressure to getting citizenship. A friend of mine got married in high school for the tax breaks. I think the only good enough reason is because she's prego.

Answer 9

And also to secure a lasting companionship of trust, love, and security!

Your parents don't last forever, and there is always a need to have a sense of family throughout your life. Therefore people try to recreate that atmosphere by starting their own.

Answer 10

of course it is. it's not like the world is overpopulated or anything, right? we need way more kids!

the more babies get born, the bigger chance that one of those babies will someday come up with a brilliant solution for the problem of overpopulation.