MARRIAGE

Traditional marriage originates from male ownership of one or more females. Most cultures still label women (e.g. Miss/Mrs) in order quickly establish whether they are available. In asking someone to marry you, you are infering a lack of trust that you think requires legal control.

Will you marry me? = Can I make it illegal for you to leave me?

In most 'western' cultures, this has become:

Will you marry me? = Shall we make it illegal for either of us to have sexual relationships with anyone else without taking the proper procedures (divorce)?

Relgion tends to involve itself in such matters, making adultery not just illegal but punishable by eternal suffering.