subject: What Happened To The Institution Of Marriage? [print this page] What Happened To the Institution of Marriage?
First, marriage should not be an institution, but a commitment. The question then is, Is there commitment in todays marriages? I dont believe there is. Marriage has gone from take your lickings and grin and bear it, to Womens Liberation and even more liberty for men as well. Women are more outspoken, defending themselves and initiate divorce. Men, on the other hand declare, I am gay.
Secondly, marriage was always meant to be a relationship based on true love. This is the ageless belief and is still considered a standard. However, there is confusion about love. What is love? It is being kind, patient, honest, devoted and passionate, among other things. The present consensus is that our partner should have money, a good job, and should gratify us sexually. These are given priority. Is this what young people dream of? Apparently they do, and when they marry, they hit a brick wall. Marriage also has lost integritydoing the right thing even if your spouse is not looking. It has lost self-control. There is no will power within the union between spouses.
What happens when the marriage goes sour? And what if there are children involved? Children should be the primary concern and priority of parents, but they confuse the priority. They fight for the custody of children, place visitation demands on each other, and struggle with ownership of child support. Children are never consulted in the decision-making if they happen to be old enough, and they should be.
Why has all this happened? We can blame the economy, technology, materialism or even the death of the American Dream. Or, is it because we no longer fear God and have lost the true sense and meaning of love? God is the true source of love and belief in Him is essential to the meaning and mystery of life, and marriage is an element of this life.
What can be done? How can we resolve this issue? We have come to a crossroad in our existence where we need to learn about love, so we must teach it. Yes, teach it in the elementary, middle and high schools, even in the universities. Oh, yes, and the Bible is a good start.
