In recent years, marriage rates in the United States have been declining. According to National Center for Health Statistics data, national marriage rates fell from 6.9 to 6.1 marriages per 1,000 people between 2017 and 2019, the lowest rate ever recorded. This article is, of course, about the purpose of marriage.
There are, however, some essential components of a long-term, healthy partnership. While there are numerous possible explanations for this, it is clear that many people still want to marry.
But, as long-lasting marriages become increasingly rare, how can couples ensure that theirs is a happy one? Every couple is unique, as is their relationship. As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all magic formula for a happily ever after.
Couples experience the wonderful emotional and physical intimacy of being; “on the same page” and frequently sense a deeper, more profound spiritual connection.
While some couples consider themselves “soul-mates,” there is a qualitative difference that grounds a relationship and gives hope for the future.
While each couple will have a unique experience, there is no doubt that there is more to marriage than meets the eye—the very design and purpose that point to marriage as a gift of great, even eternal significance. This leads us to the following topics: what is marriage, and what is its purpose?
What is Marriage?
Marriage has a different meaning in various ways and by various entities, depending on cultural, religious, and personal factors. A commonly accepted and all-encompassing definition of marriage is a formal union and social and legal contract between two individuals that legally, economically, and emotionally binds their lives together.
The contractual marriage agreement typically implies that the couple has legal obligations to each other for the rest of their lives or until they divorce. Marriage also gives sexual relations within the marriage legitimacy. Marriage has traditionally been viewed as important in preserving morals and civilization.
What is the Purpose of Marriage?
When getting married, you should be clear about what you want to get out of this relationship and where you want to see it go. Lack of a defined, acknowledged purpose or setting the wrong marital goals can lead to difficulties in keeping your marriage alive and moving it forward.
You might even get stuck in a negative cycle of questions like ‘Is marriage necessary?’ and ‘What is the purpose of marriage?’
Due to the recent decline in marriage, many people wonder what marriage is and why it is important. Here are a few points to help you understand the purpose of marriage and what it entails.
1. Contentment, Respect, and Dedication
People who share common interests are the ones who fall in love and decide to enter into a marriage contract. It stands to reason that couples who share similar perspectives get along better.
When people have similar life goals, they work together to achieve them. Observation shows that couples who share a common life goal and work together to achieve it lay the groundwork for a successful marriage.
Such couples are grateful for each other, love each other, and share excitement over shared joys.
2. Begin a Family
Many couples want children soon after they marry. It is common for couples to have children after they marry, which is considered an important purpose of marriage.
This is entirely justified. Children are also a means of extending the family line and carrying on family traditions and heritage.
Also, children tend to bring a couple closer together, and their love for each other only grows stronger.
Children, as the missing piece in a complete family, also elevate the couple’s status symbol, as a complete family is considered a happy, purposeful marriage.
3. Development as a Couple
One of marriage’s best gifts or purpose(s) is the opportunity to grow and nurture oneself alongside one’s partner. You can learn and grow into a better version of yourself, becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be. Growth pushes you beyond your comfort zone and to your limits to bring out your full potential as a human.
This is fantastic news for you regarding keeping your marriage alive and well. One of the benefits of marriage is that you and your partner will learn to work together and instead help each other through difficult times.
As you mature, you are more concerned with your partner’s well-being. You will start doing more of what pleases your partner, standing by their side and supporting them all while shielding them from anything uncomfortable.
4. Collaboration to Achieve Common Goals
Marriage ensures that you have someone who cares about you. Being validated boosts one’s self-esteem and only encourages devotion between spouses.
When two partners love each other, they have mutual respect, with their entire focus on flourishing and their commitment to each other rather than pushing each other down.
A relationship requires more trust, love, and respect, with no room for competition and resentment, which is the sole purpose of marriage.
5. Pleasure
One of the primary reasons for marriage is to receive a profound gift of enjoyment. Marriage has numerous advantages.
However, one of the primary goals of marriage is to enjoy yourself in the relationship. Your partner should also be a source of enjoyment and happiness for you.
6. Protection
One of the goals of marriage is the protection that the spouses provide for one another. There should be mutual protection of each other’s, family’s, and children’s interests. Protection at many levels and stages of life, taken together, constructs the purpose of marriage. It is also one of the advantages of marriage.
7. Completion
Marriage’s purpose is to lead us to fulfillment or completeness in life. When you marry, you enter a significant phase of your life that will lead you to a more blissful state.
If you are feeling lonely in your marriage, this is one of the signs that you should work on making it a fulfilling journey together.
In an interview with Sharon Pope, he discusses the difficulties of disconnected marriages. The discussion determines whether the couple can repair their marriage and make it work again or if it is time to divorce lovingly.
Related Articles: MARRIAGE PROBLEMS: Common Causes, Problems & Effective Solution
Why Is Marriage So Important?
If you are in a marriage, you may have discovered why marriage is so important, as well as some of the benefits that come with it. Perhaps the marriage was difficult for some of you, and you are no longer married.
There is, however, hope. But that hope begins with the realization that marriage can be more amazing than you have ever imagined or experienced.
I’ve been married for many years and have seen both the amazing and the very difficult. My wife and I were never lonely after we married. Working as a team is more effective than working as an individual. We have both matured as a result of our challenges.
As an added bonus, our union has produced wonderful children. That’s all well and good, but I’ve discovered something even better. Marriage, I believe, was created by God to reveal more about Him and how awesome He is. Many of His purposes for marriage demonstrate this. Here are some reasons why marriage is so important.
1. Beginning
Marriage is the start of a family, and it is a life-long commitment. It also allows you to develop selflessness as you serve your wife and children. Marriage is a spiritual, emotional, and physical union.
This union is analogous to the one between God and His Church.
2. Similarity
When a man and a woman marry, they “become one.” Marriage is an unbreakable bond. It provides us with a life partner and teammate as we face life’s challenges together.
3. Objectivity
Marriage intends to be pure. We face temptation nearly every minute and from all directions. The bond of marriage gives us the strength to resist temptation by engaging in deep, satisfying love that physically, emotionally, and spiritually gives to and receives from our mate.
4. Parenting
It is one of life’s greatest blessings when a marriage produces or receives a child through adoption. Approximately 40% of today’s children are raised in homes without a father.
That fact has far-reaching consequences. Father absence causes increases in mental and behavioral disorders as well as criminal activity and substance abuse.
Conversely, children raised in a healthy marriage get a front-row seat to see and experience the long-term benefits of a strong family.
5. Adore
Marriage is intended to reflect our Creator’s unfailing love for us. It’s a love that will always be there for us, never leaving or forsaking us. When a man and a woman love each other unconditionally, they experience contentment and joy.
What Makes a Marriage Successful?
Love, Commitment, Trust, Time, Attention, Good Communication, including Listening, Partnership, Tolerance, Patience, Openness, Honesty, Respect, Sharing, Consideration, Generosity, Willingness/Ability to Compromise, and constructiveness are just a few of the factors that contribute to a happy marriage or relationship.
What Causes Marriage Failure?
Betrayal destroys all the bonds that hold a relationship together: emotional, physical, and spiritual. Trust, respect, loyalty, and communication are all so shattered that many couples divorce because they can’t get past the betrayal.
What Is the True Meaning of Marriage?
A commonly accepted and all-encompassing definition of marriage is a formal union and social and legal contract between two individuals that legally, economically, and emotionally unites their lives. Being married also gives sexual relations within the marriage legitimacy.
Conclusion
Marriage is said to be the way to satisfy and support family members in various ways, emotionally, sexually, and psychologically.
Marriage is regarded as a significant life event. The above-mentioned marriage aims to help you understand what marriage is all about and set realistic expectations for it.
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