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A free union is a romantic union between two or more persons without legal or religious recognition or regulation.

The term has been used since the late 19th century to describe a relationship into which all parties enter, remain, and depart freely. The free union is a rejection or criticism of marriage, viewing it as a form of slavery and human ownership, particularly for women. According to this concept, the free union of adults is a legitimate relationship that should be respected. A free union is made between two individuals, but each individual may have several unions of their own.

History

Much of the contemporary tradition of free union under natural law or common law comes from anarchist rejection of marriage, seeking non-interference of either church or state in human relations.

Leaving behind what was seen as law imposed by man in favor of natural law began during the late Enlightenment, when many sought to rethink the laws of property, family, and the status of women. Utopian socialist Robert Owen (1771-1858), who decried marriage as principally linked to the principle of ownership, offers a foretaste of the free union by use of the term "marriage contract in front of nature." Philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) stated, "Marriage is an affirmation of the supremacy of man over woman [...] if I love a man, I want to love him while keeping my freedom."

Contemporary law

In French law, the union libre is an agreement between adults which grants rights between parents and potential children, but holds no obligation of sexual fidelity, nor does it grant reciprocal duties and rights between partners.^[1] A free union can be between individuals of any gender, and an individual may have several concurrently,^[2] therefore making free union an option for LGBTQ or polyamorous relationships.

United States law has no exact legal equivalent of a free union, although comparisons are often made to common law marriage. In the United States, partners wishing to have legal rights without entering into a marriage contract may choose to complete documents such as a healthcare proxy, domestic partnership agreement, will, and power of attorney.^[3]

Roman Catholic criticism

According to the Catholicism, the expression "free union" includes situations such as concubinage, rejection of marriage as such, or inability to make long-term commitments.^[4] According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, being in a "free union" is a grave offense against the dignity of marriage,^[5] which it sees as a Sacrament.^[6] However, proponents maintain that the free union acts as a public recognition of a relationship without the obligations of church or state.

References

^ Legros, Dominique (2013). Mainstream Polygamy: The Non-Marital Child Paradox In The West. Springer Science & Business Media.
^ Template:Droit civil ; la famille
^ "Living Together: Legal & Financial F.A.Q." Unmarried Equality. 2013. Retrieved 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2390
^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2400
^ "Sacrament of Marriage". Catholic Encyclopedia. [www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm]

External links

A Handbook on Open Relationships

This sociology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[0-1] Legros, Dominique (2013). Mainstream Polygamy: The Non-Marital Child Paradox In The West. Springer Science & Business Media.

[Droit_civil_;_la_famille-2] Template:Droit civil ; la famille

[3] "Living Together: Legal & Financial F.A.Q." Unmarried Equality. 2013. Retrieved 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

[CC2390-4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2390

[CC2400-5] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2400

[6] "Sacrament of Marriage". Catholic Encyclopedia. [www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm]

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 ==Contemporary law==
 In French law, the ''union libre'' is an agreement between adults which grants rights between parents and potential children, but holds no obligation of sexual fidelity, nor does it grant reciprocal duties and rights between partners.<ref name="">{{cite book |last=Legros |first=Dominique |date=2013 |title=Mainstream Polygamy: The Non-Marital Child Paradox In The West |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b_S8BAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA52&ots=w13uijDVqX&dq=free%20union%20relationship&pg=PA52#v=onepage&q=free%20union%20relationship&f=false |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=}}</ref> A free union can be between individuals of any gender, and an individual may have several concurrently,<ref name="Droit civil ; la famille ">{{Droit civil ; la famille }}</ref> therefore making free union an option for [[LGBTQ]] or [[polyamory|polyamorous]] relationships.
+United States law has no exact legal equivalent of a free union, although comparisons are often made to [[common law marriage]].  In the United States, partners wishing to have legal rights without entering into a marriage contract may choose to complete documents such as a [[healthcare proxy]], [[domestic partnership]] agreement, [[will]], and [[power of attorney]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmarried.org/cohabitation/legal-financial/faq/ |title=Living Together: Legal & Financial F.A.Q. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2013 |website=Unmarried Equality |publisher= |access-date=2015 |quote=}}</ref>
 ==Roman Catholic criticism==