Married Life
Will Marriage Always Have a Place in Society?
It’s pretty much common knowledge by now that the marriage rate in the Western world has been on a steady decline since the 1950s. Even moreso in Europe than in the US, people are electing again and again not to get married.
The divorce rate is insane, and divorces are easier and cheaper than ever to go through with.
Meanwhile, something like 40% of children are born out of wedlock, proving that we no longer need to be married to raise a family. In addition to that, the stigma of having children without marriage is long gone. Hell, you don’t even need a man to have a child anymore. You can do it on your own with enough money and courage.
What does this mean for the institute of marriage? Is it becoming unfashionable to be married?
I’m still collecting my thoughts on all this. The subject is huge, obviously. It’s a lot of sorting. I’m interested in everyone’s opinions on it. So please feel free to comment here.
Let’s start with this. If you’re married, why did you decide to get married? If you’re actively against marriage, why is that?
Plenty more posts to come in future weeks with musings about it… I’m fascinated with it at the moment.
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Writer, dating columnist, wife, coffee addict, foodie, fashionista... Melburnian through and through. Muser, dancer, blogger, tweeter. Likes to get her head on telly now and again. Sleeper, dreamer, a sucker for romance. And of course... a cheap date.
Discussion
6 comments for “Will Marriage Always Have a Place in Society?”
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I have issues with marriage because it is not available to everyone. When certain portions of a 1st world nation are denied the choice to formally and legally recognise their relationships, then there is something wrong.
Also marriage is seen as a religious institution and as the 1st world removes itself from organised religion, so too will marriage decrease. There is less societal pressure to marry, and so a millenia old patriarchal institution is dying? Who gives a toss should be the answer.
So you have to wonder, if it was available to everyone (obviously we’re talking about gay marriage) and no longer associated with religion (which really it isn’t because you can have a civil service that just involves the state and not the church), would we still not give a toss if it died out?
Do we want it available to everyone just on principle, but once we have secured that victory we’ll throw marriage aside?
I agree that everyone should be able to marry and I do think that will happen – but @pete, your comment seems to be in two minds there…
Marriage is a statement… to the world if you like, but more so to each other. Vows are important. Words mean things. Vows and words said to each other mean more.
My wife and I got married in Jamaica with paid witnesses. That was just the legal aspect (that is very important). The words that were exchanged mean more each day, and will always be important.
Marriage is the foundation of our society. Think about it. If we don’t have people committing to one another as Year on the Grill says, then much of our culture begins to deteriorate. The divorce rate is an indication that this foundation has been weakened. Look at the problems caused by broken marriages: families torn apart, custody battles, kids lose trust in their parents, loss of self esteem and confidence. Whether you believe marriage to be a civil institution or religious institution, you can’t deny that marriage is and has always been a cornerstone of society.
If we do away with marriage, then we lose much of our trust, commitment, and true love. The alternative (whatever that is) encourages people to just live off the romantic feelings they have, move from person to person, give nothing, sacrifice nothing, and learn nothing from vowing to stay with one person for life. Marriage is a testimony — more than a contract that can be repealed.
I just found this website, but I appreciate its goal. Help couples hold to their commitment to each other by continuing to connect with each other regular through “dating.”
I’m for marriage. Primarily for all the reasons stated by “Year on the Grill” and Jarrod. One lesser addition, though–let’s not forget that biologically-speaking, marriage is actually quite useful–particularly when children are involved. Knowing who one’s parents (and therefore sisters, brothers, half-sisters, half-brothers) are is rather important when one comes to the dating age. I’ve known more than one person who was accidentally dating a close relative, and they were NOT happy about it when they found out (and, no, these aren’t the sort of people who would appear on “Jerry Springer”). Yes, this is probably not that common, but the more kids are born out of wedlock and through casual sex, the worse the situation may become. Genetically, that’s probably not where we want to be headed.
Blind date is real my dear.I’m not sure if blind date can lead to a happy home because of the cirtsmucances surrounding the relationship foundation.The shows we watch on TV aren’t real