In this segment, Wojtyla discusses marriage as an institution, something 'instituted', 'established' in accordance with a concept of justice. Although a sexual relationship between a man and woman has an intimate character, the man and woman belong to society and therefore must justify their relationship in the eyes of society -- through the institution of marriage. Peter commented that reading this section on the importance of marriage was a poignant exercise, as the institution of marriage is very much under attack in our society.

Wojtyla describes the family in relation to the institution of marriage. The fruit of the relationship, a child, is also a member of this society, and the birth of the child turns the union of the man and woman based on the sexual relationship into a family. "The family is in itself a small society, and the existence of all large societies -- nation, state, Church -- depends on it. ... The family is the primary institution at the base of our existence as human beings." Sylvia suggested that the community has an interest in marriage because of the children marriages produce. Wojtyla then stresses that while marriage leads to the existence of a family, marriage itself is not as a result absorbed by the family -- it remains distinct and different from the family. Family possesses the structure of society in which the parents exercise authority over the children; marriage, on the other hand, is an interpersonal structure, a union and community of two persons. Luisa summed this up: the sacrament is matrimony, not parenthood.

The inner and essential raison d'etre of marriage is not simply the transformation into a family but the creation of a lasting union between a man and woman based on love. A marriage which through no fault of the spouses is childless nevertheless retains its full value as an institution. "No doubt a marriage serves love more fully when it serves the cause of existence, and develops into a family. This is how we should understand the statement that procreation is the principal end of marriage. But a marriage which cannot fulfill that purpose does not lose its significance as an institution of an interpersonal character." Sylvia commented that our traits of being human blossom when we bring souls into the world. Children give us greater insight to what God is like; through children, people can experience unconditional love.

The institution of marriage is important because it provides a justification for a sexual relationship between a man and woman in society. "The 'love' which psychologically is for both of them the justification and legitimation of their relationship must also gain acceptance by other people. ... Marriage signifies the maturity of the union between a man and a woman, to testify that theirs is a love on which a lasting union and community can be based." The framework of marriage ensures that the partners treat each other as persons. Extra-marital sexual relationships immediately place one person as an object of use by the other. "A 'marital' sexual relationship outside the framework of marriage is always objectively a wrong done to the woman. Always -- even when the woman consents to it and indeed even when she herself actively desires and seeks it." For this reason, he continues, adultery in the broadest sense is always wrong, and pre-marital and extra-marital relationships are always morally bad.

Jonelle commented that marriage is especially important to women, but single women in a relationship are afraid to bring up marriage because society feels that the man should 'pop the question.' The woman stays quiet and submissive, afraid he might leave if she says something. Sean commented that in recent decades, the respect for the husband and the father has declined. Being a husband and father used to define manhood; yet now we are assaulted with messages that the head of the household is evil and controlling. Public service ads on child abuse always bash the father of a nuclear family. Sylvia remarked that women have lost their sense of self-respect and modesty -- society says that unless you are sexy you are not a woman. In 19th century literature, a wonderful, attractive woman was a pure woman.

Laura added that some men don't want responsibility -- they want to love promiscuously, easy come/easy go, and with someone virtuous, they know they can't escape easily. Laura remarked that responsibility and virtue have to be considered admirable qualities. Janet Smith writes that in a relationship outside of marriage there is something being withheld, there is a lack of a formal commitment, and the body language is, as a result, a lie; people are reduced to objects.

There is also a need to justify sexual relations between a man and a woman in the eyes of God the Creator. Man differs from other creatures in that he at once realizes he is his own property and the property of the Creator. The effect of marriage is to make each person in some way the property of the other, thus requiring justification of the relationship in the eyes of the Creator. Sean added that never are we more an icon of God than when we are creating.

According to the Church, marriage has been a sacrament from the beginning, ever since the creation of the first human couple. "It is not enough for a woman and a man to give themselves to each other in marriage. If each of these persons is simultaneously the property of the Creator, He must also give the man to the woman and the woman to the man, or at any rate approve the reciprocal gift of self implicit in the institution of marriage." We learned from the Gospels that man obtains grace through the sacraments administered by the Church, which was endowed by Christ with supernatural authority for this purpose. Thus, only the sacrament of marriage fully justifies the union in the eyes of God.