What Is Marriage - Ownership or Partnership?

Not too long ago, the institution of marriage was considered in many cultures as a man's ownership of a woman. In cultures where a "bride price" or a dowry was paid to the parents of the bride, this was considered the man's purchase of the rights to her body. The idea of spousal rape didn't exist in such societies, because the woman was the man's property. But not all cultures viewed marriage this way. Some societies recognized marriage as a partnership in which both parties formed one entity, like a corporation. They shared responsibilities for debts, and payment of taxes to the government. In such societies, if a man was in the position of a ruler and he died, the authority was passed on to his wife.  Culturally, we have a lot of models to choose from, when it comes to defining what a healthy, fulfilling marriage looks like. Today's American culture seems to lean more toward mutual ownership, and this tends to create problems with jealousy and possesiveness. What really is marriage? Is it ownership? Is it partnership? What would you want your marriage to look like? Later, we'll talk to Revin Fellows who is hosting a special discussion between men and women this evening, 6-9 at Grub Chicago, 1230 West Taylor Street, "What Black Men Really Think About the $680 Billion Black Women Spend?"