The institution of marriage to the Puritans of the 1600's changed the views of established customs regarding marriage due to the Protestant Reformation. The Puritans were the first fashion of sex, love and companionship in a marriage. Puritans used marriage to procreate and to shield their spouses from adultery, although Puritan males also married for companionship.Victorian views on marriage however, were quite prudish compared to the Puritans. They adopted views similar to the aristocracy, calling for strict control of their sexuality. Views on sex were negative and were treated as if it did not exist. Even sexual language, such as referring to a chicken "breast"; were outlawed. Homosexuality among males was forbidden but not to females. All of these features of a Victorian marriage were attempts to emulate the aristocracy of the post- Industrial Revolution.Love today in the 20th century has become more permissive and liberal. It was the beginning of the age of love. (Harmatz & Novak, 1983:32). With technology consistently expanding during the Roaring 20's and the period of the late 1960's to early 1970's, it gave way to what many sociologist called a "sexual revolution". Inventions and discoveries such as the automobile, movies, and the birth control pill as well as the women's right movement helped to push sexuality in a more liberal view. All cultures have the institution of marriage, but what is so unique sociologically is that each "individual" society may possess different values and norms from another...
