What happened to "Forsaking all others, 'til death do us part?"?

Question

Have you all noticed a decline in the way marriage is viewed among the American population? Is it just me, or do people not take marriage as the sacred union it is, as people once did? My grandfather was once asked by my mother, "How do you handle Grandma?" And he simply replied, "Because I made her a promise." I'll never forget that! What happened to that dedication? Why do you feel the way you feel?? Thanks!

Answer 1

Great question, lots of variables! Basically I think the culture has a "disposable" mentality! Some people just buy into this idea that what people do all to easily is a barometer on what is ok in their life, w/o the hint of integrity. The personal sense of pride that comes from staying in and working at a marriage is lost to most that venture into it. This same ethic is displayed in many forms of American culture, it's all about now and "me-ism". Marriage is about loving another and seeking their interest many times above or before your own, and most are too selfish to ever, render that to another. It's work and a life minded commitment, and it's a vow to God, and quite frankly both he and his standards are sidestepped in the same selfishness.

Answer 2

I really believe in "happily ever after". I don't know about the USA but in my country the situation isn't pink either. It seems to me that people say the word DIVORCE even in their sleep. Everyone wants it his or her way, people don't want to talk to each other and they explain that with a sentence "we both have strong personality and don't want to back up". I have always thought that people who have strong personality have also got brains. They'll listen to the other side and accept the solution if it is better. There is something called mutual agreement. My generation (mid thirties) is especially complicated here. People don't hesitate to fight in public. My friend even told her husband she would get a divorce if they didn't go to the sea side! That happened in front of me and my husband and when we asked her how could she trade her marriage for holiday she looked at us as if we had been crazy. I hope people will come to their senses and realize that good marriage and working on it is essential for a happy life.
P.S. Someone asked me the other day if I would ever repeat my wedding vows. I said "No, I still stick to the first ones I gave"

Answer 3

I don't think very many people look at marriage as a life long commitment anymore. It's like people think they can stay in their marriage until something new and/or better comes along. Society has made divorce acceptable. And it's only going to get worse because our children are being raised in a world where husbands and wives are disposable. My children are almost 8 years old. By the time they are adults, marriage will be nonexistent.

Answer 4

It seems that people just want a relationship that they don't have to work at, when something goes wrong just find a new relationship. We live in a throw away society and unfortunately it is happening in marriage too. My husband and I have been married for 29 years and I am 46-out of my high school graduation class I am the only one still married to the original husband. My children's teachers think that our children are odd because they don't have step parents or step siblings!

Answer 5

It's not just you. I also believe in that old fashioned kind of love. My grandparents were homesteaders and didn't have plumbing or electricity. They carried their water up from a muddy creek in a bucket and raised all of their own food. They took nothing for granted, including each other, and of course their children. Family and their love for each other was their total existence. My generation does not have that sense of appreciation for anything in general. We live in a throw away society. Everything is designed to be convenient, fast food, internet, technology, etc. Relationships are expected to be the same way, easy and convenient. When things get a little hard, couples now days tend to throw each other away and look for someone "better". I'm not very proud of my generation.

Answer 6

I know that's right!!!

We have Engel v. Vitale of 1962 to thank for the decline of marriage in this country. Since then, the divorce rate has skyrocketed to 50%!!!!

My husband and I have taken a stand: Even the very word, "divorce" will NEVER be uttered in our household.

We will NOT be a statistic.

Answer 7

I absolutely have that dedication. I, in fact, am looking forward to living a nice long life with my hubby, and expect to see him for eternity after that. Not once have I wished I had the freedom to look elsewhere, for any reason. As your grandfather said, I made that promise. I intend to keep it, because I love my husband and would expect nothing less from him

Answer 8

What happened to this dedication? TV! Everyone seems to think that MTV and stupid celebs live the way it should be. Everyone seems to have forgotten that tv is pretend, and celebs are insane! I love that your Grandpa said that-he's a real man and I wish there were more real men out there. My husband and I are teaching our boys that real men make and keep promises, suck it up and get the job done, and life isn't what celebs make it seem. Real men are self-made-you don't ride the coattails of your parents and you share your wealth and knowledge with those around you.

Answer 9

Probally because in the time it takes to get to marrage age, people are exposed to enough divorce to discredit the so called "sacred union". Not to mention celebs making and breaking way too often.

I blame mass media, too many girls have this preconcieved idea of love thats in movies and cartoons that love is perfect and transends all issues. You have to realise that its still a union of 2 people, you still need teamwork skills.

Answer 10

Its been 13 years and I've firmly upheld that belief, even if there is some new hot tech guy at work that seems to speak only in sexual innuendos and looks at you in that way until you don't even watch tv when you get home , but just sit and think about all the things you would like to do to him,but then you come to your senses and just go make dinner. My point is, its ok to get the 7 year itch but I just let my husband scratch it.
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