Love and Marriage
Essay: ENG 101
Romantic Love and Marriage Love for the opposite sex has always been a controlling factor for mankind. (Brown 2nd Paragraph) Even so, romantic love is a poor basis for marriage. Many married couples are often asked, “Why did you two finally decide to get married?” A question that is answered over seventy-five percent of the time with, “Well because we are in love.” Of course, love should be a factor considered when making the decision to get married, but considering marriage in the eyes of most individuals is forever romantic love shouldn’t be the only basis for deciding to “tie the knot.” There are five myths the revolve around making the decision to marry that many people consider true because of the old fashioned values their parents raised them with. Some of which are the deciding factors for those individuals when they are faced with the choice of getting married or not. Those false truths are as follows: (1) married families are happier; (2) marrying and having children is the “natural” thing to do; (3) “good” families are self-sufficient; (4) every family is a bastion of love and support; and (5) married couples should strive for the “perfect” family (Benokaritis). These myths are not only common to many Americans, but they are believed to be true as well. These myths, along with romantic love are as I stated earlier a poor basis for something as complex as marriage. There are several factors that should be considered and ever present within the relationship before a marriage should take place. Besides romantic love, commitment should be present before a couple makes the decision to get married. When you are committed to another person you are dedicated to them, but according to the Urban Dictionary commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. You are realistically making a choice to be responsible if you will, for another individual. Making the decision to stand by your significant other in all aspects of one another’s
Romantic Love and Marriage Love for the opposite sex has always been a controlling factor for mankind. (Brown 2nd Paragraph) Even so, romantic love is a poor basis for marriage. Many married couples are often asked, “Why did you two finally decide to get married?” A question that is answered over seventy-five percent of the time with, “Well because we are in love.” Of course, love should be a factor considered when making the decision to get married, but considering marriage in the eyes of most individuals is forever romantic love shouldn’t be the only basis for deciding to “tie the knot.” There are five myths the revolve around making the decision to marry that many people consider true because of the old fashioned values their parents raised them with. Some of which are the deciding factors for those individuals when they are faced with the choice of getting married or not. Those false truths are as follows: (1) married families are happier; (2) marrying and having children is the “natural” thing to do; (3) “good” families are self-sufficient; (4) every family is a bastion of love and support; and (5) married couples should strive for the “perfect” family (Benokaritis). These myths are not only common to many Americans, but they are believed to be true as well. These myths, along with romantic love are as I stated earlier a poor basis for something as complex as marriage. There are several factors that should be considered and ever present within the relationship before a marriage should take place. Besides romantic love, commitment should be present before a couple makes the decision to get married. When you are committed to another person you are dedicated to them, but according to the Urban Dictionary commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. You are realistically making a choice to be responsible if you will, for another individual. Making the decision to stand by your significant other in all aspects of one another’s
Bibliography: Benokaritis, Nijole. “Marriages and Families.” Changes, Choices, and Constraints. Fourth Edition (2009) May, William. “Marriage The Rock On Which The Family Is Built.” Second Edition (2009-2010)