Why People Decide Not To Marry

Looking at Marriage today, as the age of enlightenment has hit America, Timothy Keller says in his book The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, “Marriage was seen as a contract between two parties for mutual individual growth and satisfaction. In this view, married persons married for themselves, not to fulfill responsibilities to God or society.” Although marriage is only between two people, the concepts can be applied to any community, as God ordained marriage as the holy community, sealed by and through him. Marriage is supposed to be all about serving one another, and growing spiritually and morally through the years, not about feeding off of sexual gains and other individual desires. This is why divorce rates are so high, and why so many fights happen. It is because America has lost the definition and beauty of marriage, as it is often portrayed as a trap, or a “settle down” type thing. Not at all, because marriage is all about spiritual growth through each other and the

Although it could be with experience, but this would show appeal to tradition, strawman, and hasty generalization. “The truth is, many people have never seen a successful, thriving marriage, mainly because great marriages are becoming so scarce. Several years ago, I conducted a survey in which I asked 500 individuals to tell me about the marriage they most admired.” (pgs. 505-506). Observing his research, I find that the evidence is vague. What does the sample consist of such as men, women, gay couples and the age group? Just because great marriages seem to be scarce, doesn’t mean that there is no great marriages, now. “The majority of singles have lost confidence in their ability to correctly judge a highly compatible and thus long-lasting match.” (pg.506). This would be a hasty generalizations after all we do not know who are the majority are the singles in terms of demographics. Not all single people lose confidence to have a great relationship, when people need help, then others are empathetic to seek the help or the single person helps themselves. An appeal to tradition would be when a child is with married parents. It is a choice for the parents to become married. Some choose not to have a status because they could be donors and do not want a committed relationship. Others are in a committed relationship but are very healthy with

After reading the article called, “What is Marriage For?” by E.J. Graff I completely agree with the article and I also relate, as well. The reason is I’m part of the LGBTQ community and from the moment I realized I was, I knew when I decided to get married it would be a huge obstacle because I would have to leave the state I was born and raised in which is North Carolina. The reason why I had to leave would be before the law was made in North Carolina same sex marriage wasn’t allowed but only few states allowed it. So, I was truly happy when it was legalized. In addition, in some of the states the only way I could really get married is by civil union which has far less benefits when compared to actual marriage. In the article, it even talks about some of the stories that same sex couples had to deal with the

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales are considered a work of satire towards medieval society by many literary critics. Chaucer uses the Wife of Bath as a prime way to quip a key fourteenth century belief. During this era, medieval society is very hierarchal and hinders many people. One of the most notable groups that are restrained are women. The Wife of Bath is appalled by this. She is a progressive lady who implies that men are not in control of society. She infers that women are running everything from behind the curtain with men merely being used as puppets. As such, she narrates a tale that mocks male superiority and spouts a pro-women tale.

Catherine Newman, in her essay “I Do. Not: Why I Won’t Marry” Written with a feminine edge, this author gives reasons why she won't marry. She also brings up various traditions and meanings behind the customs of marriage, while interjecting with details of her own relationship. The author uses logos and pathos throughout her writing to educate her readers on both the allure and the downsides of marriage. She establishes an informal relationship with her audience of young girls or women who are planning on getting married.

In over half a century, marriage has transformed from being a social requirement to simply being an option in today’s society. What has caused this change? Many institutions in our society have changed drastically along with marriage. Although these institutions have not caused marriage to be optional, they do strongly correlate with the decreased value. The economy, education, religion, and government have all altered since the 1950s. When any institution encounters a change, all other institutions are affected. Family is a major institution in society, and I believe that marriage is an important aspect of this institution. Cohabitation, religion, women in the work world and divorce have all effected the way marriage is viewed today.

America can come together as one with no issues of race, or prejudice when our country faces a crisis. Daily the reality is that the American society is a blend of ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural influences. With dramatic social changes, we have begun to see these influences gain strength with civil rights movement of the twentieth century and the emergence of information age in the late twentieth century (Schmalleger, Donaldson, Kashwahara, & Koppel, 2018). The dramatic results of this change have given the American society awareness of realized and potential contributions of the diverse elements. Multiculturalism has been defined as the existence within one society of diverse groups that maintain unique cultural identities while

Several arguments had occurred, however the answer remains various according to different perspectives. Marriage is a sacred phase in our lives consisting of a man loving a woman; thus, they come to be married by means of choice. [The Article, “Should It Be More Difficult To Get A Divorce”] states that no person should be enforced to make life decisions based on what others might think what is best to do. Kids age up healthy with both parents at their side, in spite of this they do better with ones that are not strained to act a fake play. Obligation will never exist as an answer if it was not

I believe that marriage is not meant for everyone because a lot of people are just trying to find someone to buy time or someone to just be there for them. Marrying someone is a privilege, but it is a legal process that you must go through that just makes things complicated. There is a difference between dating and marrying someone. When dating someone, the couple is trying to find a bond between each other as if they are best friends, which can make the best relationship because you can be so close to each other. The only difference between marrying someone is the legal paperwork and a ring on your finger. Another reason I do not agree with Laurie Essig and Lynn Owens is because when couples get divorced, it tends to be a long court process. Usually there is a law involved with a divorce if the spouses have kids, and it usually ends with the mother having the kids and the father paying some sort of child support to help the mother. Growing up with a single mother I have experienced the struggle of not having a father figure around. This destroys a kids’ childhood because every child needs a father role to follow. In most cases my own mother played both roles. This occurs throughout most divorces or single parent homes. A child does not deserve to grow up without either roles in their life because it is not fair.

There comes a point in everyone’s life that this question or subject is brought up - “Are you dating anyone?” “When are you guys getting married?” When these questions are asked from family and friends, it pressures people into finding that special one. Even though, people do experience those desires and questions for themselves; does it make it right to feel that need? What is marriage? Is marriage a contract or love? What if marriage is not what people perceive it to be? What if marriage is not the happily ever after often seen in the movies? Laurie Essig and Lynn Owens are two scholars that wrote a piece entitled, What If Marriage Is Bad for Us? that contended the institution purpose of marriage is obsolete and in reality bad for society, and how marriage can lead to changed, unhealthy, and distressed.

“Marriage and Love”, a short essay by Emma Goldman, gives a wonderful argument regarding love and marriage, in fact, she nails it. Marriage does not equal love or has anything nothing to do with it. Not only that, but the marriage could also easily kill whatever relationship was there prior to the declaration. Marriage is simply a social construct, one that imposes control by religion, tradition, and social opinion (Goldman 304). However, if marriage is such the ball and chain that we all joke about, then why do people get married?

Religion and the Bible encourage, and perhaps demand marriage from two individuals to create them as one. The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him (Genesis 2:18)".  "That at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate (Mathew: 19:4-6)". Why does religion place such an importance on a union of marriage? An answer is suggestively related as to why automobile and health insurance companies provide a discount on their policies when filing married. According to State Farm Auto Insurance, two married individuals are much more likely to accept upon themselves responsibility, maturity, and a longer healthier and more satisfying life. Insurance agencies believe your life will be more structured and meaningful, to provide you with a policy. Living alone or entering and departing unstable casual

Why would a person decide to get married again after one marriage failed? Could it be to have companionship? Could it be for economics? I decided to get married again, because I didn’t want to stay alone forever. I haven’t been married for a long time, but ever since I have felt very happy. If I could make that decision again if I had another chance, I would definitely make the same decision because I want to spend the rest of my life with my spouse and start our own family.

Another possibility for many people not getting married for the right reasons include social pressures enacted on them by either their parents or society. Unbeknownst to many, arranged marriages exist in some American families. Granted, they are mostly from recently immigrated Indian populations, but they are Americans just the same. With the culture shock that these people receive on the notion of marriage, it is no wonder that divorce taken so lightly.

Marriage isn’t for everyone but instead of detouring those who may be considering it lets focus on the value it has to the individual. No two people are alike and no to marriages are either, I commend your enthusiasm and dedication to disapproving the commitment to marriage however from my view marriage should not be degraded this way, it should be the individuals choice and it should be portrayed in that way.