Why are male and female, when married, considered "one"?

Question

Comment about Schiavo:

Schiavo's husband no longer had the interests of a husband, aside from joint finances, and he was entered in a new relationship.
The amount of time between their relationship and his new interests should have caused Terry's interests to be placed in the guardianship of her next of kin.

The State should have divorced them; split finances and placed guardianship with the next of kin.

*note: Schiavo comment due to Karen Star's reply.

Answer 1

Since you are asking the question in Politics and Government rather than in a Society section or a Religion section, I'm assuming you are asking what advantage there is to the government. It's a legal status.

The individuals in the couple actually are assuming legal responsibility for one another. If I run up a medical bill, my husband is expected to help me pay it. If he runs up a bill at the local hardware store, I'm expected to help pay that. When a couple divorces, it's common for one or the other to put a public notice in the paper that says something like "as of this date, I am no longer responsible for debts incurred by ____, my former spouse."

If he goes into the hospital, he and I are one, and I can answer questions on his behalf and have access to his medical records, unless he explicitly asks for his privacy to be respected. Further, if he becomes incapacitated, no special arrangements are required for me to make medical decisions on his part. (This is partly why Terri Schiavo's husband's decision to have her disconnected from the machines was ultimately respected over the claim of her parents.)

*edit for response to my answer* - I don't disagree with you that the Schiavo situation was extremely painful for all involved. I was not involved in the lives of any of these people, and I don't think I'm qualified to judge what should or should not have been done. Your question led me to think about the implications of being "one" in the eyes of the law. That's why I brought the Schiavo case up, not to open that debate. Since it seems to have been opened any way, I will say that I find it odd that people who define marriage as "a union of one man and one woman" in one situation would want to over-ride that union in another, in effect to ignore what was throughout her illness, a legal and binding relationship. I accept your view that since he had gone on to another relationship, the "union" no longer existed, except in the eyes of the law. (second edit, actually)
(I also edited the original answer for spelling.)

Answer 2

The perfect ages are definitely around mid to late 20's. Like you said, any age is fine. By the time most people finish their college degrees and are settled with a job most people are around 25-27.

Answer 3

Legally they are considered one.

Answer 4

This was the way it's suppose to be. Read your BIBLE. It's GODS way

Answer 5

If they don't feel they are ONE, then maybe they shouldn't be getting married.

Answer 6

Because that is what it is. They share his last name, riches, poorness, health, tasks, responsibilities. It is not a social law but a biblical law. Its a covenant, and the only true reason for divorce is unfaithfulness. And even there there is room for counseling and healing. Incompatibility is not a reason for divorce - believe me my wife and I are very different. A proper marriage following under the laws of God is a real marriage. If all people would follow biblical principals correctly we would not have any problems in society. The bible is the most perfect users manual when it comes to marriage, business, money, love, sex, understanding, and what not. It is worth reading as it has never been out sold by any other publication a the number one best seller of all time. It is God's word.

Answer 7

Because the Bible says so, and it's a union.

Answer 8

Because there are two people in one "couple".

Answer 9

Because society is developed on the basis that the woman is subordinate to the man, and that when the man and wowan are joined in marriage, that the woman becomes part of his property as a "thing" (AND THIS TOTALLY SUCKS)