The Importance of Marriage

The institution of marriage is perhaps one of the oldest and most revered traditions that are still practiced today. It impacts society not only in terms of relationships, but socially, economically and religiously. As of late, a new debate surrounding marriage has arisen, bringing the public to further consider its benefits and repercussions, if any. People support this practice for a number of reasons, with sentiment and tradition playing a large part. However, with rising divorce numbers and public figures being exploited for the seeming lack of respect for the sanctity of this union, the purpose, and importance of marriage is often questioned and thrust into the center of controversy.

As the Institute for American Values stated in their study, marriage has three fundamental and profound impacts on our societies: “marriage is an important social good…an important public good…and the benefits of marriage extend to poor and minority communities” (Wilcox 5). There are many proponents of marriage, many of them arguing that children greatly benefit from having two parents at home. In a similar study, published by the same institution the authors go as far to say that “in general then, there are serious psychological, social, and economic consequences for children reared in single parent families” (Wilcox et al. 5). And while this may or may not be true, my opinion of this topic essentially comes down to one point. There are, clearly, benefits to being married. And while divorce rates climb, and the topic is frequently under heavy fire, marriage is a personal decision - one that many bases on a sense of identity and belonging. It is a choice that people make for themselves, and if it is the right or the wrong choice, is theirs to determine. I cannot say with full confidence what is good for my neighbor, or the person in the car next to mine. What I can say, is what is going to be best for me, and I am glad to have that ability to choose, and I believe that everybody should deserve the same independence and respect. 

Works Cited

Wilcox, W. Bradford. “Why Marriage Matters: Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences." Institute for American Values, New York (2005): 31.

Wilcox, W. Bradford, Lorraine Blackman, Obie Clayton, Norval Glenn, Linda Malone-Colon and Alex Roberts, “The Consequences of Marriage for African Americans: A Comprehensive Literature Review”, Institute for American Values, New York (2005).