The word ‘Marriage’ has different meanings according to the laws of a particular country.
In most african states, marriage may be defined as a union for life between one man and a woman, or between one man and two or more women, to the exclusion of all others.
In the other parts of the world as exist today, marriage may be defined as a union between two or more persons irrespective of their genders.
Before a marriage can be said to have come into existence, there always exists a period of cohabitation or living together, with the purpose of studying and knowing each other. The said period may be termed as Courtship, Concubinage, Dating, and several others.
The reason why the period of cohabitation may not necessarily lead to marriage is because one of the parties, after making a promise of marriage to the other, may wake up one day and change his or her mind. As popularly said ‘it is only a fool who des not change his or her mind‘.
When such a promise of marriage is breached, it is termed in law as ‘A Breach of Promise to Marry” which is a cause of action arising against the party for breaching the promise, especially so when a lot of sacrifices have already been made by the other party.
Thus, a court action may be instituted against the breaching party demanding for adequate compensation for time wastage, loss of beauty (especially where the woman’s beauty has declined resulting from childbirth), etc. It should be noted however, that if the parties by themselves agreed to bring the relationship to an end, no court action may arise against the other for a breach of promise to marry.
Speak to your lawyer, if have been a victim…!!!