Common Law Marriage In Canada Essay

In the passing generations, common-law marriage has increased in popularity.

With the increasing popularity of common-law marriage comes questions addressing why it is becoming more widespread, the issues it brings in respect to relationships and the permanence of those relationship, as well had the legal obligations and laws associated with common-law marriage compared to legal marriage. Common-law marriage has became more popular as our society has changed, common-law marriage is a more affordable, and accessible for people. Common-law marriage is increasing due to the cause of religion views, poor economy, and this generations lifestyle goals differ form previous generations. In 2011, when Statistics Canada did a census on Common-law marriage

Culture is one of the main aspects. Statistics Canada found that the highest percentages in common-law couples were in Quebec and based on that finding it strongly suggests that it has to do with the strong feminist movement and the Quiet Revolution. Because of this most women, if not all married women have retained there maiden names when they married, and the increasing popularity of common-law marriage is another option for women, it offers women a sense of commitment but allows the women to retain their maiden names. The growth of popularity of common-law marriages throughout Canadian provinces can also be due to a number of other factors. The increasing lack of participation in religion which often brings pressure of marriage. Also, the present generation growing up has been part of huge increases in divorce and watching parents separate has had tremendous impact on the idea and constraints of marriage for those individuals. As well in today 's economy, students are leaving university and college with outstanding debt and cannot afford to fund a lavish wedding. Not only are students unable to afford a wedding but there is also an increase in the amount of women entering work positions that were originally dominated by men. Women are becoming more equal and therefore are working toward a steady career and less toward a more family orientated lifestyle. Nora Spinks, CEO of the Vanier Institute of the Family cautioned against concluding that this trend of increasing common-law marriage is in any way harming society, she states “We are seeing, right now, people engaging in committed relationships the same as we have always seen before.” This statement supports that common-law marriages do not change the respect in which Canadian society views the structure and permanence of families. In regards to rights and obligations of common-law marriages, the law