This week in women’s studies we have been discussing issues surrounding marriage and family and how it affects women. The readings got me thinking a lot about divorce. I have been married a year and a half now and I have a great marriage, but the overwhelming divorce statistics are a little scary. I am very fortunate to have parents who are still happily married, as does my husband. We have great role models to look to and a great support system. I can’t help but wonder what exactly is making so many marriages fail. I looked around on the internet quite a bit and found many websites that blame the standards society puts on marriage; what a husband and wife should be like. Society puts out this image of a “perfect” marriage leaving many to be disappointed. Obviously it is impossible to come up with one universal reason for divorce. Perhaps we have just become a society that has too high of expectations for everything, marriage included.
The most interesting thing I learned was that even though divorce is so common, few abandon marriage altogether. Many divorcees remarry and even remarry again. This shows that we are not losing faith in marriage, just that many of them are not working. We all hold within us a belief that our soul mate is out there and many tirelessly look for the perfect marriage. I am still learning about marriage, and realizing how difficult it is. Marriage takes a lot of work from both sides. I can’t pretend that I know it all or will ever. I will spend my entire marriage learning and trying to improve as a wife, as I hope my husband will. With much effort, the help of God, and lots of love I am optimistic that my husband and I can beat the odds and have a lasting relationship.
