Doesn't It Seem like More-&-More People Are Being Too-Economical In Considering Marriage?

I definitely think a lot of people make decisions about marriage based on finances. I think my ex's new wife married him for his house. She brags about being a homeowner now and always has a Pottery Barn catalog in her hand. I don't actually hear her say good things about him, just about the money he'll have when he finishes school and gets a career. I think she just wanted to get her hooks into a guy that owned his own home and had some kind of career plans. So, I think some people totally marry for economic reasons or convenience.

 

I agree. With our economic state right now, it isn't practical to spend lots of money in marriage, not unless if you are extremely rich. Marriage is a vow between the couple and God, so it should be kept simple.

 

Well marriage is actually an outdated model of civil union. It stems from various points in our history, influenced by religion and politics over the centuries to become what it is today. I would say the idea of marriage is less a personal one and more of a social one, though some personal merit is still true. Many people I know are in civil unions like living together but not married.

Certainly only for those who adhere to your specific religion. Marriage itself is not exclusive to one religion. When I got married, the vow I made was towards my wife and myself. My parents on the other hand had a marriage where they bowed to our ancestral shrine in Hong Kong.

 

I think the overall dynamics of marriage have changed a lot. In the past, it was expected for people to get married before having sex. Even those who were doing it were usually doing it quietly, behind closed doors. Having a baby out of wedlock was very much frowned upon. Living together without being married was practically unheard of and also looked down upon.

All of that has changed. People can have sex and live together and everything else without getting married. Some people judge, but it's much more the norm now than before. SO now, people don't rush into marriage so that they can live together and stuff; instead, they live together and get married later.

 

That would come down to the individuals involved rather than an universal standard.

On one hand, I can see that 'back then, marriage meant this and that', but you have to remember that society has evolved over the decades. A lot of things were a certain way back then. Some good and some bad. For example, women were treated more like maids and child bearers who should not 'think' for themselves and stayed at home, while the man goes out to work and earn a living. On the other hand, women have become more independent and has gained momentum in fairer pay and treatment, while it is still not the norm for men to be house husbands, it is also not uncommon.

With that said, the thing with marriage is that countries like Canada recognize common law spouses after they have lived together for X amount of years, share the same household and responsibilities. People that live contemporary lifestyles would get married for social reasons and possibly even a personal reason of recognition, labeling their relationship for each other. Marriage isn't necessary to keep a family together in some first world nations anymore. Where as back in the past, marriage was seen as the be all and end all for many people, especially women.