Exchange of property Marriage is essentially the exchange of property from one man to another, the woman being property. Marriage has traditionally been used to up the social status of one partner, since simply living with a lover was not an option. Today, however, people can and do live together before marriage and their social status can be raised by such. It is also important to note that most people do not think of an actual marriage, i.E. The relationship between two individuals when "getting married", but rather a show of extravagance to family and friends in an effort to cover up insecurities about the relationship itself. Weddings are used to "lock in" your life partner, making it harder for them to leave. The whole system has been flawed from the beginning, though in earlier times it did insure the furthering of the human race. Marriage just isn't an essential component to society any longer; it is only a ceremonial declaration.