The Institution of Marriage
Once viewed as the very basis of the family unit and indispensable for the preservation of morals and civilization, its status and prestige have diminished considerably in recent times. Once hailed as the cornerstone of a stable society, it is increasingly viewed as merely one more ?lifestyle?.
Many young voices are heard in the society today that condemn the exalted status and importance given to ?getting married?. Many argue that it is an old and decadent arrangement failing to serve a purpose in today?s world.
Progressives, especially feminists, argue that marriage actually causes significant harm, formalizing patriarchal dominance while subjugating women and endangering their physical and mental well-being. They are of the opinion that marriage might do some good to men but definitely not to women. Many believe that the main reason for getting married earlier was to reproduce. Now that so many people are choosing not to have children or opting for single parenthood through IVF or adoption, there is no need for marriage.
But all is not lost. There are supporters of marriage, people who firmly believe in its sanctity as well as its importance in the upkeep of the social fabric. There have been many extensive studies and research which strongly illustrate the claim that matrimony is a unique relationship that enriches the lives of husband and wife in every observable way.
The benefits of marriage are most observable within the measurable realms of health, wealth, emotional and physical well-being. As compared to unmarried people, married people are happier, healthier, live longer, earn more, work harder and save more.
The act of getting married changes a great deal about the way couples behave and interact with one another, plan for the future and experience fulfilment. This transformation has immense effect on the social structure. Marriage changes people?s goals and behaviour in ways that are profoundly and powerfully life-enhancing:
1. Better Health: Married people have better emotional and physical health. They have the least limitations in normal daily activities including work, getting dresses, remembering and walking. They also experience the lowest amount of serious psychological distress or depression and are least likely to indulge in risky behaviour such as alcoholism or smoking.
2. Longer Life Span, Less Suicide: Married people live the longest due to their physical upkeep or well-being. They are also less likely to commit suicide as they are least likely to suffer from depression and other mental disorders.
3. Greater Wealth, Higher Incomes: Married people enjoy greater wealth than unmarried people and the longer they stay married, the more their wealth accumulates. Marriage particularly benefits men?s earning capacities. Studies show that married men earn 22% more than men who have never cohabited or married. This could be due to their mental happiness or satisfaction spurring them to work harder. It could also be due to the social perception of a married man as a stable, mature, and trustworthy person. Married couples have financial goals, they save together and save more for the future.
4. Less Violence: Marriage is the safest relationship for women in terms of economic, emotional and physical safety. The cases of physical abuse or domestic violence are more with women who are not married, are divorced, separated or single.
5. Social Benefits: Happy, stable marriages go a long way in promoting stronger communities and society. More stable marriages mean less social problems such as domestic violence, child abuse, and violent crimes. This results in safer homes and communities, less poverty, more wealth and youth who stay away from crime, alcohol and substance abuse. There are lesser incidents of premarital relations, STIs, and abortions, thus promoting healthier societies. Married parent homes are more likely to produce young adults who view marriages positively and maintain lifelong marriages leading to less divorce rate and more social benefits.
6. Legal Benefits: Law also provides for some legal benefits to married spouses such as inheritance or right to remain in family home over and above the claims of debtors, claiming elective share of estate even if one spouse disinherits, claim of spouse on monthly benefits of deceased worker, testimony privileges where any private communication between the couple is not admissible in a court without the consent of the partner and so on.
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you want to find out more about a solicitor managed divorce see http://www.managed-divorce.co.uk