Editing Vulcan (Star Trek) (section)

===Marriage===
Vulcans practice [[arranged marriage]],<ref name="startrek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/documentaries/article/8118.html|title=Star Trek|work=startrek.com|access-date=September 26, 2015|archive-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903105919/http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/documentaries/article/8118.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> in which a male and a female are bonded as children, with consummation at a later date. [[Spock]] explains that this childhood pairing has no one-for-one human analogue, as it is considered less than a full "marriage", but more than simply a "betrothal". This is why Spock first described T'Pring as his "wife", before later explaining that this was an incorrect approximation. Following adult union, it is customary for the couple to remain on [[#Homeworld|Vulcan]] for at least one Vulcan year before conducting off-world travel, though it is possible to defer this requirement until a later date, upon negotiation with the male's family. The state of pon farr is not required for marriage to occur.

A Vulcan female can challenge the proposed bonding by calling for "koon-ut-kal-if-fee", meaning "marriage or challenge", in which a challenger for marriage engages the bonded male in a fight to the death. Alternatively, the bonded male has the option of rejecting his intended bride and choosing another. It is acceptable for a male to "release" his mate from marriage (effectively the same as a [[divorce]]).<ref>Sussman, Michael and Bormanis, Andre. Star Trek: Enterprise, Episode 4/12, "Babel One." First aired January 28, 2005.</ref> It is not established whether females have the same option, and T'Pring stated in "[[Amok Time]]" that a koon-ut-kal-if-fee challenge was the only way she could legally divorce Spock.<ref name="startrek.com" />

While most Vulcan marriages are arranged in childhood, adult Vulcans who have no mates may also declare the "koon-ut-so-lik", the ritual Vulcan marriage proposal. As with arranged marriages, the Vulcan being proposed to may accept or challenge the union.