Marriage in today’s world, while not as strictly defined as it was in Jane Austin’s time, still has many aspects that are almost universal. In Austen’s era, marriage was mainly thought of as a way for a person, mostly women, to ensure themselves a life of prosperity and security. Marriage was considered the majority of women must do, and for men, it was something they could wait to see come to them. In modern times, however, that definition has changed, as men and women both want marriage for many reasons which include love, financial security, and social pressures.Many legal and financial advantages can be attained through marriage. While it may not be the sole reason for a couple tying the knot, most of the time it is definitely a factor they at least consider. Marrying strictly for this reason however is looked down upon in today’s society. Arranged marriage is also considered by many, including myself, as something alien that happens under special circumstances, even though only an era ago it was something that many families took seriously. One major difference of marriage in modern society from Austen’s society is marriage is now considered by almost everyone as something that should be reserved for couple’s who are in love. Of course, the definition isn’t always so vague, as many gay couples still find themselves blocked at every turn when they try to arrange a marriage. But when love is obviously clear between two people, it is usually a good sign that they will marry, regardless of social class. “Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." In order to alleviate social pressures, especially from their family, marriage is considered a rite of passage into adulthood in many cultures, including American’s. While it is possible for either a man or a woman to go through life and not get married, both are constantly reminded by society that they are missing out on a great experience of life.
