A couple of days ago, I discussed the definition of human rights.  I argued that a human right is something that applies to all humans, regardless of age, gender, race, or nationality.  It a right shouldn’t be given to a particular set of humans, then it probably isn’t a human right.

It is with that definition that I wish to argue that marriage is not a human right.  Many people claim that it is a basic human right to marry the person they love, but they are wrong.

Consider a child, to whom the human rights of food, shelter, education are given.  If a child is in love with someone, should they be able to marry?  Of course not.

Marriage is not a human right.  Human rights don’t need licenses or certificates.  There isn’t such thing as a license to eat.  But marriage licenses and marriage certificates do exist.

Marriage is instead a privilege afforded by governments and/or religions.