"In Global Perspectives on Social Issues: Marriage and Divorce, Rita J. Simon and Howard Altstein provide valuable information on the regulations governing marriage and divorce and the role both institutions currently play in citizens' lives, in twenty-five countries in all parts of the world. In their introduction, the authors briefly outline the history of marriage and divorce from earliest recorded time, focusing especially on the influence brought to bear by religion and culture. Simon and Altstein proceed to examine such fundamental issues as social restrictions on marriage, marriage and sexual identity, property transference, and child custody, and a chapter is devoted to the history of same-sex marriage. The second book in the Global Perspectives series, Marriage and Divorce employs both sociological and anthropological techniques to address marriage and divorce across many contemporary cultures. This volume is a broad-ranging and useful reference tool for anyone interested in these social institutions."--Jacket.