Marriage has been described as one of the oldest and most enduring human institutions, but the reasons for marriage have varied greatly from period to period and from one culture to another. In many cases, marriage was primarily an economic decision that determined the suitor the family could find for the girl. In some cultures, a man's wealth was based on the size of his harem or the number of wives he maintained, while in other cultures a young woman's family was expected to give a dowry substantial to her suitor. Over the centuries, women found themselves in a moderately submissive role in courtship, marriage, and in their daily lives. Many women were traditionally married to older men chosen by the girl's father or, in other cultures, some weddings were arranged by older women in the community, like a matchmaker whose opinions were rarely contested by those involved. In some cultures, marriage is such a life-changing decision that many believe it should be made by those with more experience rather than leaving the choice of spouse to the young people involved. Some find that a romantic relationship as the foundation of marriage is a better path to happiness, as in Western culture. Love, physical relationships, and the joys of infatuation are widely described in the Hebrew Scriptures as the best way for both spouses to live a happy and fulfilling life. Love matches in general give women the freedom to make choices and have more control over their own happiness. In love matches, women are able to make choices to improve their futures. In the past, “the practice of marrying for economic reasons” was common because women were not employed and therefore had to marry in order to have stability and earn a living. I...... middle of paper......a Miller Bashir. “Do they hear you when you cry?” Worldviews: classic and contemporary readings. Ed. Darren Felty, et al. New York: Pearson, 2010. 464-77. Print. “Love and marriage: social regulations”. Eras of the world. Ed. Guangqiu Xu. Flight. 7: Imperial China, 617-1644. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 346-50. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. November 27, 2013. “Marriage”. Eras of the world. Ed. John T. Kirby. Flight. 3: Roman Republic and Empire, 264 BCE-476 CE Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. 320-24. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. November 27, 2013. “Marriage and Divorce.” Eras of the world. Ed. Ronald Wallenfels. Flight. 8: Ancient Mesopotamia, 3300-331 BCE Detroit: Gale, 2005. 275-78. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. December 2, 2013. Nanda, Serena. “Arrange a marriage in India.” Worldviews: classic and contemporary readings. Ed. Darren Felty, et al. New York: Pearson, 2010. 563-71. Print.