Divorce is a major problem in our society today. Most people would agree that the well-being of children has declined in recent decades, yet very few want to point the finger at the big word "divorce". The writer points this out when she talks about how politicians avoid the topic and how easy it is to make it into an economic issue.
One of the writer's main point seems to be a lament of the selfishness in our society, and that it is not good for marriage, not good for children and also not good for society. Contrary to popular opinion, if personal happiness is pursued as ultimate, the end result is not always what is best for that individual person or for everyone else.
I think an issue implied in the essay that could be better developed is, "What is the solution to unhappiness in a marriage?" Our society likes to take the easy road, and say divorce will solve the problem. However, if a person is unhappy before they are married, getting married will not make them happy. Also, if a person is unhappy in a marriage, getting divorced will not automatically make them happy. When one is unhappy, it is easy to point the finger at others, or circumstances, but the answer is usually more personal than that.
I think that there are two things that would make a big difference in lowering the divorce rate. First of all, our society needs to value committed relationships more. When relationships are formed for purely physical, psychological, financial and other superficial reasons, it is not surprising when they fail. Sex complicates a relationship and makes a bond that often has no basis, and when sexual interest declines, it becomes obvious that these two people have nothing in common. However, if more people sought to get to know someone better, and determine if they would be someone that they could spend the rest of the their life with before they entered into a romantic relationship, it would greatly improve the success rate of relationships and ultimately marriages.
Assuming that two people have common beliefs and goals, then it is only logical to encourage selflessness in a relationship. If both people seek to put the other person first, it solves a great many problems, and enables a couple to get through the disagreements, crises, and pains of life. This will give stability to a couple's relationship, and build the basis for a loving and nurturing family.
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2 comments:
Hey there- I see you are about as popular as me! lol. I really liked your response on rethinking divorce. I agree that marriage is entered into too hastily nowadays. That is one of my main ideas that the divorce rate is so high. They are no longer a forever thing. Even the media shows it. Like that time Britney Spears was married for- what was it, a day? They no longer have the long lasting marriage as an example on TV shows which also effects the public views. I think your response was great!
This essay was a challenge for me. As a child from divorced parents, the author almost made it seem like I was raised improperly and that my mother is unhappy because she isn't married.
I completely agree with you that our society needs to value commitment. People need to also realize what a marriage is supposed to be, not what the media has created it to be. Remember the Cleavers? I Love Lucy? Gees, Lucy was a clutz, but Ricky didn't divorce her! Ah, the good old days.
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