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Thus, the concept of marriage is changing widely in many countries.

It is a form of courtship, consisting of social activities done by the couple, either alone or with others.

Prior to that, courtship was a matter of family and community interest.

Starting around the time of the Civil War, courtship became a private matter for couples.

Accordingly, there was little need for a temporary trial period such as dating before a permanent community-recognized union was formed between a man and a woman.

While pair-bonds of varying forms were recognized by most societies as acceptable social arrangements, marriage was reserved for heterosexual pairings and had a transactional nature, where wives were in many cases a form of property being exchanged between father and husband, and who would have to serve the function of reproduction.