Once marriage has been entered into, its dissolution is also controlled and granted or denied by the state. Until recently in Ireland divorce proceedings did not exist or were not recognised by the state, and even now it is a long complicated procedure. Thus it brings one to question the motives of state definition and support of marriage. Women are more likely to be assaulted by their husbands within marriage, a marriage which cannot be easily dissolved. In the event of marriage breakdown Hanmer claims that the majority of women never receive maintenance which has been awarded to them.
Women actually have fewer rights as married women than they have as a single person.
Thus state support for marriage may be seen as helping to uphold the patriarchal structures within society. By examining the UN Declaration of Human Rights it is possible to ascertain other areas in which the state can be seen as oppressive and alienating. Yet states stringently control and often deny the entry of immigrants across their borders. Most have very strict immigration laws which prevent asylum seekers from gaining free entry into countries. Although the State acts in ways which are oppressive and limiting it also provides very necessary and useful concessions to its citizens.