Transitions into Marriage

So before I start the next couple posts I should probably mention that I’m not married and do not have first-hand experience, this is information from my Family Relations class.

The engagement is a very important part of the couple forming into a strong, single family unit. This is the reason for the traditional and formal way of a groom asking for a blessing from the bride’s father. This is a way of strengthening the father/ son-in-law relationship as well as showing respect. The couple then begins to commit to each other and establish boundaries aside from their parents. There is a common risk of a couple ‘sliding’ into marriage. This means there is no significant transition into engagement, it is not a planned, and it is unknown if both individuals are ready or genuine about marrying.