The Institution of Marriage
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
By
In an age when divorce is rampant, living with boyfriends is acceptable (common, actually), and feminism has triumphed, marriage has lost the reverence it once held in the hearts of young American women. Despite this fact, there still remains a strong belief in the institution of marriage. This article is not talking about weddings. Weddings are more popular than ever. It is ironic in the sense that as divorce rates skyrocket, so do weddings. This article is talking about the true meaning of marriage.
The definition of marriage according to the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary is “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.” But a real marriage is much more than a recognized-by-the-state contract between a man and woman…it is a joining of two lives and two families, a promise of fidelity and love, a partnership for life, a comradeship in parenting, a union recognized by God (if you are a Christian) and the eternal bond of best friends. In addition to living together, a married couple shares the everyday struggles and triumphs that life throws our way.
So how does this apply to us, collegiettes™? Truthfully, it affects our everyday lives. Entering college as a freshman, most girls are single and on the hunt. But what are we on the hunt for, ladies? Is it dating? Is it sex? Is it someone to hold our purse while we shop? I believe that most women are searching for the man with which they want to spend the rest of their lives. So we wake up in the morning and generally spend an hour getting ready for the day…showering, brushing out teeth, straightening our hair, picking out our clothes, and checking the mirror one last time before leaving our dorms or apartments. All of these actions, aside from physical health reasons, are taken because we know that there is one man out there for us and we need to look our best when we first meet him.
Does this mean that we should all abort plans for whatever career we had in mind and begin pursuing our degree in MRS? No. Believing in marriage simply means that we proceed into relationships with our hearts guarded and our prayers many. Take caution when you entrust your heart and body to another soul, but be open to the idea that everyone can find true love. Do not completely abandon the morals that our mothers, grandmothers, and ancestors before them upheld in regards to marriage. For the women who do not trust men yet, support your friends with encouraging words and wisdom as they date and fall in love. Remember that men are human too and will make mistakes. The guy that breaks your best friends’ heart may be a jerk but there is also a knight in shining armor waiting for her around the bend…perhaps he is standing next to your prince.
More in:
Comments
divorce
I will.be doing my Honor's presentation on what characteristics make an individual more likely to divorce and what you can do to avoid it. It will be in April, all students are invited. However you are both right my stuudy shows that if you live with the person that you are going to marry and only that person you are less likely to get divorced then if you never lived with him. But if you live with a significant other and do not marry them, then when you do get married you are more likely to get divorced then if you never lived with anyone. Also if you had been dating for less than 2. Continuous years when you got engaged you are more likely to get divorced. That Is a Stat that many of our 'quick' college Kids do not like to hear.
Slightly Different View
Interesting article, but I feel that living with a significant other does not necessarily mean a departure from the reverence of marriage. My beliefs are actually the contrary, that surviving living with one's future spouse can enlighten one to the future spouse's habits and thus lower the odds of divorce. A legal document is not what defines love, adoration and commitment to one another, that is a connection that can exist in any environment. Just a thought. Also, one should approach dating with an open mind and heart, not a guarded heart. As long as Jesus resides in one's heart, they will always be able to bounce back from heartbreak; and heartbreak makes one stronger and more appreciative of true love once it is finally found.
Post new comment