The Reality About Divorce and Marriage
by The saying, “Half of all marriages in America end in divorce,” is false. That is of course, according to some experts who have poured over valid statistical data. In any case, many marriages do end up in divorce and in most cases this can be a real tragedy of Shakespearean magnitude.
The media and the masses
It is possible that from the perspective of someone from the East, media has created the concept that most western marriages do not last long. This is probably because our television sets and gossip columns are inundated daily by the latest Hollywood split ups. It’s easy to think that Americans do not think highly of the institution and the vows of marriage because their actors and actresses rarely manage to stay together. Common sense should point out however that Hollywood people are not like average Americans. Statisticians say that divorce rates in America among average couples are not as bloated as they appear to be.
Divorce in the East
If people have the wrong concept about Americans and divorce, it is also quite possible for westerners to have a different concept of easterners. Among some eastern countries, divorce is not yet legally allowed. Some people may have the notion that most eastern cultures and traditions have remained conservative and traditional. It is true that traditional values still play a big part in some Asian countries. It does not mean however that separations among couples never happen.
I remember my own father’s advice when I got married, “If it doesn’t work out, come home.” Asians are already beginning to learn that difficult marital situations are just not worth dying for anymore.
Demystifying marital vows
What does it mean to give someone a promise of love “…for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. Till death do us part”? It literally means that you have to stick by your spouse’s side even if he goes insane, looses the ability to wipe his own ass and forgets who you are. In other words, it beats any poetic declaration of undying sacrifice. Being married to someone is no joke. Just imagine your own brothers and sisters whom you have been with for all of your life. If you can hardly keep peace with them, how much more with a total stranger?
This is not to suggest though that you should allow yourself to be battered and cheated on. There are limits to how far you should eat mud for a spouse’s sake. The point is however, is that marriage is no piece of cake and will take a lot from you. You should think about that when you decide to accept that diamond ring.
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