Changing Times And Marriage. - 1746 Words

Changing Times and Marriage Hillary Becker Student Number: 8281930 University College of the North Soc2140: Social Psychology Instructor: Harvey Briggs Thompson Site About eight years ago, I went to a wonderful wedding. It was an expensive wedding; amazing food, incredible decorations, free bar, live entertainment, and the most expensive wedding dress I had ever seen. I bet the cost was well over $35,000.00. I was completely mesmerized and awestruck by the event. Then, oddest thing happened. When I was in the lady’s room doing my lady business, I overheard the bride say laughingly: â€Å"Well, it’s not like its forever†! While I was washing my hands I could hear her voice in my head saying the traditional oath â€Å"till death do†¦show more content†¦How did it go from almost hiding your face due to the shame of being divorced to being like half of the adult population that has been married? I do not profess to be a sociologist; for I am not smart enough to understand the concepts or capable of dressing the part, but I am very interested in how the society I live in is constantly evolving. It may be possible that the decline in permanent marriages are the result of a cultural tendency in perception that promotes individual happiness and fulfillment as the most important goal to achieve. The main reason for marriage today under this concept, is for the individual to acquire love and experience happiness. Society has put greet emphasis on achieving this goal, and that if a person is unhappy, then their life is not fulfilling and they should endeavor to make changes so that their life is fulfilling. Marriage is seen today as something that should not last forever if true happiness is not met. It has become somewhat disposable in concept. If an unhappy marriage was permanent, the door would be closed and that individual would never find self-fulfillment (Shulman, 2004) . This contemporary view of marriage creates an unrealistic myth of the importance of finding a soul mate in order to be happy and once you find this person, things will always be good. If things are not good, then you have made a mistake, an error and you need get a divorce