Marriage, an Unnatural Union, is a social contract based on the commitment of two individuals. Whether it is sanctioned in a church, on a beach or on the Vegas Strip, it is the mutual commitment that counts, not the ritual or the legal papers. Unfortunately, this commitment is often made between two individuals who barely know one another and, as we all know, a large percentage of marriages fail.
In my opinion, couples should live together for at least two-three years before deciding to marry and certainly before choosing to adopt or conceive children. Cohabitation uncovers traits in one another that might otherwise go unnoticed and forces us to face issues that are vital to the success of a marriage: compromise, mutual respect and the need for personal space, among others.
Of course, some might argue that we never truly know one another but a few years of living together should shake out most of the skeletons in our closets. Religious persons will surely oppose this approach but anyone who follows this blog knows how I feel about religions; besides, faith does not protect couples from divorce. Others might suggest that marriage itself is unnecessary, that the mutual commitment to one another is sufficient; to that point of view, I have no objection.
In my opinion, couples should live together for at least two-three years before deciding to marry and certainly before choosing to adopt or conceive children. Cohabitation uncovers traits in one another that might otherwise go unnoticed and forces us to face issues that are vital to the success of a marriage: compromise, mutual respect and the need for personal space, among others.
Of course, some might argue that we never truly know one another but a few years of living together should shake out most of the skeletons in our closets. Religious persons will surely oppose this approach but anyone who follows this blog knows how I feel about religions; besides, faith does not protect couples from divorce. Others might suggest that marriage itself is unnecessary, that the mutual commitment to one another is sufficient; to that point of view, I have no objection.
