I Do, I Can, I Will

I DO, I CAN, I WILL

The article starts by pointing out how marriage –as opposed to past periods- is failing. Despite of it, people still want to engage in this “contract” that binds them together. However, , many people are nowadays opting for cohabitation enduring long periods before marriage, and it leads to believe that marriage is somehow vanishing. Children are born out of wedlock. 2/5 of marriages are likely to end in divorce in America.

Marilyn Yalom gets close to finding a reason for this. Her new book explains that the classic symmetry of marriage: quid pro quo: men work and support the family financially while women take care of house labor and raising children, has broken down. Today, equality reigns: many women no longer need men to support themselves and their children financially. Because of that, women don’t hesitate to head for divorce courts. However, the author also considers that men get a better deal out of marriage: statistics show that married men are happier than single ones; instead, single women are happier than married ones. It’s grounded by the fact that women burden with childcare, family obligations and work.

Also, going to work gives women a way out of their unhappy lives, and helps partner those that are preferable to escape the torture that is their lives and promises bliss.

Nancy Cott’s new book reminds how, until recently, women were subjugated to their husbands by law. Clear example of this is Princess Diana’s mother, who promptly lost custody of her children after leaving her husband. The book also quotes that men represent to women the political and civil order; as a result, men had a right to exclusive sexual intercourse with their wives, even in case of rape.

Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher embrace a share of studies that suggest marriage increases health and happiness. One of those benefits seems to come from the fact that it’s economically efficient: two people sharing a household and supporting it. Marriage can boost the standard of living.

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