Introduction
The concept of marriage is a complex issue consisting of various parts, and its meaning has changed. This concept is disturbing, as approaches to understanding change significantly affect marriage and its forms. Various factors influence the institute of marriage. Love, finances, cultural beliefs, or religious views are the most significant. All these factors shape the concept of marriage and can positively and negatively affect it.
Moreover, husband and wife demonstrate a complex mix of tradition, choices, and overall expectations, which is why the issue of marriage is complex and should be researched. The various aspects of the institute of marriage show its complexity and have changed throughout the years. There are different understandings of marriage, but the focus on love and respect should be the priority.
Influences on Marriage
Arranged Marriages
The first factor that has a significant impact on the institute of marriage is arranged marriages, which are currently still widely spread. In this case, the main issue is that no love, trust, or unity is observed among such couples. Families, not individuals, choose the most appropriate partner. The couple should only accept the reality and do their best to exist with each other, which results in a lack of trust, love, and respect. Such practice is widely spread in countries like India. The main criteria for choosing a partner are socioeconomic status, religion, money, and desire to unite the families for any reason.
As a result, the views of the husband and wife are not considered. The main reason for such actions is traditions, which result in a lack of emotional connection between partners. As a result, such marriages are unhappy, and many challenges occur. For instance, childrens development suffers when no love or trust in the relations between parents is observed. Lastly, such experiences among children can create a skeptical view of marriage and love, which results in loneliness.
Media
Media and the Internet, especially movies and other relevant materials, are the second tools that shape views on marriage. In this case, the wrong or inaccurate assumptions about marriage can be created. While consuming such content, a person who believes in these narratives will create significant challenges in the future. For instance, the love and marriage in the movies are fictional, and each word and movement is prepared in advance. On the contrary, in real life, it is seen that each person is unique, and it is hard to predict the partner’s behavior, or it can differ from the experience in the films.
Furthermore, the media shows the romanticized version of marriage without difficulties and misunderstanding. As a result, while facing issues in real life, it might be difficult for couples to overcome them. Passion is the main object in the movies, whereas, in real life, it might be avoided or negatively impact the couple’s future. In this case, unrealistic expectations are created, and many couples cannot overcome life’s difficulties due to such portrayal.
Child Care
One more factor that shapes the institute of marriage is the desire to protect children, but more harm is made. The widely spread practice between couples is to stay together, even without love, to bring up children. The two aspects should be analyzed here: the intention to safeguard children and the potential negative consequences of such a decision.
On the one hand, parents intend to ensure that their children will not be emotionally harmed, creating a stable environment. For instance, during the divorce process, the child can get emotional scars, which results in mental issues. This fear can be the most crucial factor for parents in deciding to stay together.
On the other hand, such a decision can have the opposite effect on children. For example, a child might regard suffering and unhappiness in a relationship as normal and not be avoided. In this case, difficulties for such a person in relationships are guaranteed. Such actions can create the dilemma of a failed marriage, which leads to unhappiness in relationships. That is why the desire to protect children and not harm them should be balanced.
The Role of Relationships and Cooperation in Marriage
Marriage requires interest and steps from both partners; one person cannot build it. Currently, it is essential to understand the role of each person in the relationship and be able to have clear communication about challenges and issues faced. It is needed not to separate while facing difficulties but to unite and find the solution together. Such cooperation will foster trust, love, and overall experience. The fear of rejection or misunderstanding should be researched among modern couples because they harm the relationship and stop them from developing and growing. In addition, each partner should not seek validation from each other.
On the contrary, they should decide on their trajectory and ways of improving relationships together. Insecurity is the primary force that ruins marriages. In this case, it is essential to understand that this feeling should be discussed with the partner, and the ways to solve it can be found together in cooperation. Marriage should provide a person with support and faith in the shared future, not boost insecurity. As a result, unity and deep understanding between partners can be established and developed.
Significant attention is required to the role of women in marriage, as it varies in different countries. For instance, in Africa, women face oppression in marriage, and they are considered to have a lower status than men due to the traditions in that region (Akurugu et al.). In addition, politics powerfully shape the institution of marriage. For instance, in India, the social institution of marriage is dominant and is shaped by politics (Mandal). As a result, the concepts of love and truth are not usually seen in this country.
Lastly, the institution of marriage is significantly changing currently. It is seen in the deinstitutionalization, and more freedom is seen (Cherlin). Nevertheless, tradition, dominance, and society remain dominant in this institute.
Conclusion
To conclude, the institute of marriage is widely shaped currently by various factors. These factors include traditions, religion, societal and economic factors. It is possible that media also significantly shape the marriage, leading to wrong assumptions and expectations. In these cases, it is needed to foster healthy relationships and build on trust, love, and understanding.
There is no need to suffer in relationships, as such experiences only harm the couple and people near them. It is essential to understand that external factors, such as insecurity, can influence marriages. Still, each aspect of this should be discussed, and open communication should be enhanced among couples.
Works Cited
Akurugu, C. A., Dery, I., & Domanban, P. B. “Marriage, Bridewealth, and Power: Critical Reflections on Women’s Autonomy across Settings in Africa.” Evolutionary Human Sciences, vol. 4, 2022, e30. Cambridge University Press. Web.
Cherlin, A. J. “Degrees of Change: An Assessment of the Deinstitutionalization of Marriage Thesis.” Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 82, no. 1, 2020, pp. 62-80. Wiley Online Library. Web.
Mandal, S. “The Politics of Regulating Adult Sexuality through the Institution of Marriage: Reflections on Queer Experiences from India.” 2021. Jindal Global University Repository. Web.
Loading...
