| Some
of the modern, liberal thinkers of our day have said that marriage will one day
become extinct. They've predicted marriage will slowly but surely be thought of
as old-fashioned and unnecessary despite its current popularity and long-time
existence throughout human history. Perhaps
their predictions are based on the changes in the way society views love and marriage.
During the 1960's, society showed us a picture of love somewhat unfamiliar to
American culture at that time. The popular love stories of the day began focusing
only on passion and held an attitude that said, "I'm not committed to you
but I am having a great time with you sexually and romantically. I like how you
make me feel right now. But who knows what I'll feel tomorrow? So let's not make
any kind of commitment to each other but, rather, just enjoy this moment." Novels,
newspapers and other forms of media touted this as the ideal kind of love. A direct
correlation can't be proven, but during that time the divorce rate skyrocketed
and has remained high until today. That warped concept of love taught us that
if we can't have all the passion and pleasure we want from one person, we can
always find someone else who will give it to us. Perhaps that is why some marriage
researchers tell us that today 6 in 10 marriages at some time in the course of
the marriage are affected by extra-martial affairs. Before
this infatuation-based love concept, the majority of American society saw marriage
as a commitment that was kept often in the face of obstacles and tough times.
Unselfishness was the key to marriage then and the focus was on the big picture
of "till death do us part" and raising children in a home with a mom
and a dad. According
to the Census Bureau, the number of children living with only one parent has increased
from 9% in 1960 to 28% in 2002. This statistic is discouraging news for those
of us who support commitment-based, traditional marriage. The infatuation-based,
passion-only ideal of marriage is certainly alive and well today, but that doesn't
mean committed, unselfish love is dead or dying. The
Benefits of Marriage Because
of my belief in God and His message to us in the Bible, I believe He placed the
desire for a committed relationship with a member of the opposite sex in each
of us. I don't believe men and women will give up the benefits of traditional
marriage relationships even though it is under fire now. There are too many positive
side-effects that marriage provides society for it to be tossed aside. Though
I cite the Bible's recipe for marriage and believe it because of my Christian
faith, modern research also tells us that the marriage of one man and one woman
provides benefits to the couple and any children they might have. Research suggests
that: - Married
people live longer and generally are more emotionally and physically healthy than
those who aren't married.
- Married
people need less health care.
- Married
people exhibit increased satisfaction and happiness in the workplace.
- Married
people exhibit decreased feelings of loneliness and boredom
- Married
people have prolonged access to increased intimacy
- Married
people report greater levels of sexual fulfillment and frequency.
- Children
of a marriage between one man and one woman receive the benefits of learning from
role models of each gender. Each gender brings different strengths to the table
and in marriage, children can receive a balanced influence of the two. In our
work at Family Dynamics Institute, one of the most common complaints we hear from
single moms is that they wished their children had a male influence and role model,
a counterpart to compliment them in child-raising (See
research on marriage benefits).
I
believe God knew these benefits existed with the marriage of man and woman and
that is why He instituted marriage itself with the first man and woman (Adam and
Eve). Modern research also supports the Biblical-based concept of marriage as
the ideal environment for a loving relationship of man and wife--and for stable,
happy, well-adjusted children. Because humans need the security and committed
love that marriage offers, I believe it will continue to be the backbone of society
until the end of time. "Marriage
should be honored by all..." (Hebrews 13:4). by
Lee Wilson
© 2005 Lee Wilson. All rights reserved.
Click
here for information on Lee's book, The Real Heaven.
 |
The Real Heaven:
It's Not What You Think
by
Joe Beam and Lee Wilson
"What
will Heaven be like?" Have you ever wondered? Do you want to know what the
Bible means when it talks about "the New Earth" and "the Kingdom
of Heaven? Will we recognize our loved ones? Will we be in an eternal church service?
What will we do?
Click
here to order | If
you would like to make this site your home page, please
Or, if you'd like to add it to your bookmarks (favorite places), click here. | 
