Marriage is an age-old tradition now in the heart of the new millennium. It seems that what once was previously thought of as the core of a family unit now has changed to reflect modern social psychologies. By definition, marriage signifies the social and legal union of two people, resulting in a kinship. However, the institution of marriage tends to be incongruent from this basic description in many ways.
Based on the time period and culture, marriage could allude to simply a social union, a financial industry, an alliance of countries, etc. In the earliest stages of unions, love was a rare ingredient, and two partners seemed to fill the roles of cohabitants rather than loving husband and wife. A clear example of this is the Arabic culture of marrying between families, no matter if there’s love or not. Interestingly enough, love is the essential substance, the nucleus of a marriage, which fosters trust and commitment.
When cultures started to factor in emotions rather than accounting figures into unions, the world saw many more successful marriages and produced major economic advances as well as social wellness in and outside of the home. Yet as the world moves into the new century, it seems as though this social and emotional asset continues to be devalued. The disruption of the idea of marriage will consequently lead to weak individual mindsets, the deterioration of the family unit, poor economic growth, and the slowing of overall emotional advancement individually and collectively.
Speaking a little bit about history...going back all the way to the ancient Babylonian period, divorce regulation was first introduced by the Code of Hammurabi dating to 1700 BC. As old as that, divorce has been a practiced act throughout history, but it has become more and more popular as important figures that represent great examples to society start doing it. Just as with fashion, it has become a tradition during time. To mention some examples: King Henry VIII was excommunicated in the 1500s because the Pope didn’t agree with his second marriage, and consequently he founded his own religion. Another great example is Martin Luther, who founded Lutheranism in a dispute with the Pope on the same topic.
Canada made divorce legal in the 1960s, Brazil in 1978, China legalized it in 1980, while Chile lasted longer, legalizing it in March 2001. In the United States, the state of Maryland declared divorce legal in 1701, South Carolina 1949-50, and Alabama in 1970. Now every country in the world has legalized divorce.
How does divorce affect our societies? According to a study made by the Heritage Foundation by Patrick Fagan, Ph.D. and Robert Rector, each year over one million American children suffer the divorce of their parents; moreover, half of the children born in the year 2000 will see their parents divorce before they turn eighteen. Growing evidence in social science journals demonstrate that the devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects that divorce is having on children will last well into adulthood and affect future generations.
Familiar disintegration is one of the strongest causes of social irregularities: murders, kidnappings, rapes, to mention a few. With the increased rate of divorce, the pace of emotional instability, drugs, abuse, crime, and suicide is also quickening. Its effect on family life, the development of children and adolescents, job stability, and crime is evident.
According to The Discovery Channel, couples with children have a slightly lower divorce rate than childless couples. Sociologists believe that childlessness is also a common cause of divorce. The absence of children leads to loneliness and weariness, and in the United States, at least 66 per cent of all divorced couples are childless.
In light of the new millennium, proponents of serial monogamy are rapidly increasing, and consequently it seems as though the idea of marriage has taken on a new definition. It implies that those important words, “’Til death do us part,” no longer carry the same weight. Instead, modern day couples seem to have a casual view of commitment, and stay together as long as it is still emotionally convenient or beneficial for them.
