, they are not simply legalising their
sexual relationship – a step which few couples might think
necessary given the relaxed mores of contemporary society.
They are making a public declaration of their commitment
to one another which joins their two families. [IT] IS the
interconnecting network of all those conjoined families
that constitutes a community. Marriage is not simply a
testament to the present feelings of a man and a woman
but to their readiness to accept responsibility for the
future. So the stability of a long-standing marriage can
offer emotional security not only to the first generation
of children it produces, but to grandchildren, extended
family and friends.
…