has a deeper and different meaning. The catechism of
the Catholic Church defines marriage as a matrimonial
covenant by which a man and a woman establish
between themselves a partnership of the whole life. It is
by its nature ordered towards the good of the spouses
and the procreation and education of offspring. The chief
function of marriage is to provide a forum for affection
and emotional security from one generation to another. In
the marriage union, man and woman develop the full
sense of togetherness, belonging, responsibility and
interdependence (Olayinka, 1987). Makinde (2004a)
asserts that the function of marriage is to provide
happiness, security, cultural growth, and development of
a sense of responsibility for enhancing continuity and
societal perpetuation. Marriage is seen as a permanent