Marriage in Australia: Difference between revisions
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[[Same-sex marriage]]s are not permitted under Australian federal law. The Marriage Amendment Act in 2004 excluded non-male female unions.<ref name="eqsc">{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/how-australia-compares-to-other-countries-on-marriage-equality/story-fnet09p2-1226650007940 |title=Equality scale: how Australia compares to other countries on gay rights |author=Mat Young |accessdate=3 August 2013 |date=1 June 2013 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited }}</ref> Same-sex couples have access to domestic partnership registries in [[New South Wales]], [[Tasmania]] and [[Victoria]]. Civil partnerships are performed in the [[Australian Capital Territory]]. |
[[Same-sex marriage]]s are not permitted under Australian federal law. The Marriage Amendment Act in 2004 excluded non-male female unions.<ref name="eqsc">{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/how-australia-compares-to-other-countries-on-marriage-equality/story-fnet09p2-1226650007940 |title=Equality scale: how Australia compares to other countries on gay rights |author=Mat Young |accessdate=3 August 2013 |date=1 June 2013 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited }}</ref> Same-sex couples have access to domestic partnership registries in [[New South Wales]], [[Tasmania]] and [[Victoria]]. Civil partnerships are performed in the [[Australian Capital Territory]]. |
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The [[2010 Australian marriage equality rallies]] occurred just prior to the [[Australian federal election, 2010|2010 Australian federal election]] in an effort to push the issue onto the political agenda. [[Australian Marriage Equality]] and [[Equal Love]] are |
The [[2010 Australian marriage equality rallies]] occurred just prior to the [[Australian federal election, 2010|2010 Australian federal election]] in an effort to push the issue onto the political agenda. [[Australian Marriage Equality]] and [[Equal Love]] are lobby groups who actively advocate for full marriage equality for same-sex couples. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 21:00, 3 August 2013
As was the case for other western countries marriage in Australia for most of the 20th century was done early and near-universally, particularly in the period after World War II to the early 1970s. Marriage at a young age was most often associated with pregnancy prior to marriage.[1]
Marriage was once seen as necessary for couples who cohabited. While such an experience for some couples did exist, mostly because it is hard to detect, it was relatively uncommon up until the 1950s in much of the western world.[2] If both partners are under the age of 18, marriage in Australia is not permitted. In ‘exceptional circumstances’ the marriage of persons under 18 but over 16 may be authorised by a court.
The official registration of marriage is the responsibility of each state and territory.[3] A Notice of Intended Marriage is required to be lodged with the choosen celebrant.[4]
According to a 2008 Relationships Australia survey love, companionship and signifying a life-long commitment were the top reasons for marriage.[5]
History
In colonial New South Wales marriage was often an arrangement of convenience. For female convicts marriage was a way of escaping incarceration and land leases were denied to those who were unmarried.[6]
The Marriage Act was passed in 1961 prior to which the states and territories administered marriage law. The Commonwealth Family Law Act of 1975 made it easier for women to divorce and removed the concept of fault, requiring only a twelve month period of partners' separation.[7]
The 1970s saw a significant rise in the divorce rate in Australia.[1] A change in social attitudes from divorce being only acceptable if there were severe problems towards divorce being acceptable if that is the preference of the partners is attributed to this change.[8] By the 1980s the trend towards a delay of first marriage in Australia was evident. In 1989, more than one women in five had not married by the age of 30.[1]
Social change
Common-law marriage has increased significantly in recent decades but has not replaced traditional marriage in Australia. It is typically a prelude to marriage and reflects the shift to attain financial independence before having childen.[9]
In 1971, more than three quarters of women surveyed placed being a mother before their career. By 1991 this figure had dropped to just one quarter.[7]
Same sex marriage
Same-sex marriages are not permitted under Australian federal law. The Marriage Amendment Act in 2004 excluded non-male female unions.[10] Same-sex couples have access to domestic partnership registries in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. Civil partnerships are performed in the Australian Capital Territory.
The 2010 Australian marriage equality rallies occurred just prior to the 2010 Australian federal election in an effort to push the issue onto the political agenda. Australian Marriage Equality and Equal Love are lobby groups who actively advocate for full marriage equality for same-sex couples.
See also
References
- ^ a b c McDonald, P. (1992). "The 1980s: Social and Economic Change Affecting Families". In Jagtenberg, Tom; D'Alton, Phillip (eds.). Four Dimensional Social Space. Pymble, Sydney: Harper Educational Publishers. pp. 126–128. ISBN 0063121271.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Thornton, Arland (2008). Marriage and Cohabitation. University of Chicago Press. p. 72. ISBN 0226798682. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Births, deaths and marriages – Fact sheet 89". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Your Legal Obligations". Australian Marriage Celebrants. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Why do people get married?". Relationships Australia. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Edgar, Don (2012). Men Mateship Marriage. HarperCollins Australia. ISBN 0730496589. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ a b Clancy, Laurie (2004). Culture and Customs of Australia. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 57–58. ISBN 0313321698. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Halford, W. Kim (2011). Marriage and Relationship Education: What Works and How to Provide It. Guilford Press. p. 13. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|isbn1609181573=(help) - ^ Uhlmann, Allon J. (2006). Family, Gender and Kinship in Australia: The Social and Cultural Logic of Practice and Subjectivity. Ashgate Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 0754680266. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Mat Young (1 June 2013). "Equality scale: how Australia compares to other countries on gay rights". news.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
External links
- Getting married - Government information
- Births, deaths and marriages registries - Government information