Marriage Rites and Rights

by Joanna Miles (Editor), Perveez Mody (Editor), Rebecca Probert (Editor)

Overview

Recent years have seen extensive discussion about the continuing retreat from marriage, the increasing demand for the right to marry from previously excluded groups, and the need to protect those who do not wish to marry from being forced to do so. At the same time, weddings are big business, couples are spending more than ever before on getting married, and marriage ceremonies are increasingly elaborate. It is therefore timely to reflect on the rites of marriage, as well as the right to marry (or not to marry), and the relationship between them.

To this end, this new interdisciplinary collection brings together scholars from numerous fields, including law, sociology, anthropology, psychology, demography, theology and art and design. Focusing on England and Wales, it explores in depth the specific issues arising from this jurisdiction's Anglican heritage, demographic development, current laws and social practices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849469135
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/13/2015
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.66(d)

About the Author

Joanna Miles is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Cambridge.
Perveez Mody is a Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge.
Rebecca Probert is a Professor at the School of Law, University of Warwick.

Table of Contents

Foreword v

Acknowledgements ix

Notes on the Contributors xiii

1 Introduction Rebecca Probert Joanna Miles Perueez Mody 1

Part I

2 Marriage Rites-Trends in Marriages by Manner of Solemnisation and Denomination in England and Wales, 1841-2012 John Haskey 19

3 From this Day Forward? Pre-Mariral Cohabitation and the Rite of Marriage from the 1960s to the Present Day Rebecca Probert 57

4 No Frills: Wedding Presents and the Meaning of Marriage, 1945-2003 Louise Purbrick 77

5 Civil Partnership Ceremonies: (Hetero)normativity, Ritual and Gender Elizabeth Peel 99

Part II

6 The Rite that Redefines the Rights? The Contemporary Role and Practice of Pre-Nuptial Agreement Ayesha Vardag Joanna Miles 117

7 The 'Pure' Relationship, Sham Marriages and Immigration Control Lielena Wray 141

8 Unregistered Muslim Marriages: An Emerging Culture of Celebrating Rites and Conceding Rights Rajnaara C Akhtar 167

9 Forced Marriage: Rites and Rights Perveez Mody 193

Part III

10 Church of England Weddings and Ritual Symbolism Sarah Farrimond 211

11 Playing 'House of Lords Bingo': A Critical Discourse Analysis of Hansard Debates on Civil Partnership and Same Sex Marriage Rosie Harding 229

Part IV

12 Let's Talk About a Divorce: Religious and Legal Wedding Peter W Edge 255

13 Why Marriage Needs to be Less Sexy Jonathan Herring 275

Index 293

Editorial Reviews

This is a useful and informative book.” —Robin Gill, Theology Jourbanal

From the Publisher