Unless this all-important building block is healthy and unified, society itself cannot be healthy and unified. Monogamous marriage stands at the foundation of family life. Bah ' s view preparation for marriage as an essential element in ensuring a happy marriage. The process of preparation includes a requirement for parental approval of the choice of a spouse. This does not mean that Bah ' marriages are arranged.
Individuals propose marriage to the persons of their own choice.
However, once the choice is made, the parents have both the right and the obligation to weigh carefully whether to give consent to, and thus guide, their offspring in one of life's most important decisions. As did previous Messengers of God, Bah 'u'll h asks His followers to honor their parents. Obtaining parental permission for marriage reaffirms the importance of the bond between child and parent. It also helps to create a supportive network of parents in the often difficult first years of a marriage. Simple vows and ceremony O nce parental permission is obtained, the marriage takes place, requiring only the simplest of ceremonies.