The question was razed today – what’s the point of marriage after the age of forty. With no future of children, it was brought up that the only reason would be for business – cheaper insurance. People called in and affirmed that indeed there is no good reason. Which raises a larger question: why get married at all?
The radio station, which I listen to everyday on the way to work, has been perplexed by the idea of marriage lately. It was topped off today by asking the question: why even be married? Other questions have included: do you like spending time with you family? The whole idea of marriage has been mocked and rendered useless, culminating with the question: do you even like your wife?
Of course that’s not the only place that underestimates the idea of marriage. In the February issue of Real Simple the statement was made that your spouse shouldn’t be your best friend. Included in the statement was a quotation from a “sociologist”: “I agree. I think you’re asking a lot of your marriage to have the level of confidentiality, truthfulness, and disclosure that a best friendship has. Your marriage can fulfill only so many roles.”
It seems that indeed the radio and the “sociologist” have come to an agreement that a marriage is just a legal business transaction. All sacredness of the ceremony, life-time meaning, love, friendship and commitment are left by the wayside as mere foolishness.
It’s become a sad day. Of course there are exceptions. But this is a mainstream radio station and a mainstream magazine. It’s become a common view and way of life – that marriage is no longer a union, but just business.
1 comment:
You know, ironically, I think the whole issue of gay marriage ties into this, as well. If you want to be married for the social privileges of being married - or the insurance, as the person on the radio said - then maybe we SHOULD have a separate classification for marriage and Christian marriage. Or whatever you want to call it. I mean, if people who aren't even married are going into it with this attitude of despondency, and knowing it isn't going to last till-death-do-us-part, why put up the facade? Call it a business transaction and be done with it. And when you want to break your alliance, fine. But why on earth would you want to tie your life to someone else's if you didn't want to be with them forever? Maybe I'm just too happily married to understand those who are not. ;)
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