In the institution of marriage there are too many ties that bind. It’s very hard to sever those ties without suffering dire consequences. So people will remain together just because of a lack of alternatives.
For example, if you don’t like your job, you can quit. But many stay with jobs they hate their whole lives. Why? Because quitting means no more income and other dire consequences.
In the military, once you commit to a certain time, you can’t quit no matter what. The consequences of quitting are grave. So you stay on and eventually your claim pride in service and happiness.
I think that the French idea of cohabitation is more in line with free-will and happiness.
Why do you need marriage to obligate you to one another? Isn’t love stronger than any piece of paper? Apparently not.
To me, happiness is what YOU want to do at any point in time. Sacrificing yourself for others or a greater cause is very lofty. In the end, you may reflect back and find happiness but you may actually suffer during.[/quote]
That’s such a cop-out. If it’s so grave, then how come 50% of American do it and many do it several times? It’s not just the institution of marriage that has many ties that bind. That’s just life. Nothing in life stand in isolation. Everything is connected in some way.
