I don't know what honestly prompted this, but I was thinking about our laws, the way things have been worded, and the recurring issues with certain moral laws. I think I have a solution, at least something California can especially benefit from. One of the things I do appreciate about the state government is the initiative system, in which, given enough support, determination, or money anyone can get anything on the ballots to vote. Granted there are certain criteria which must be met but I think with this idea put forward attaining the signatures and such should not be difficult.
Perhaps if this works out, other states may follow suit and the entire national issue might be solved. Enough of dragging you along now, here is the idea: Replace the words "Till death do us part" to "or whenever we feel like quitting" in the standard vows of legal marriage. By this change society will finally embrace in vows the practice that has been undertaken for decades. How many millions of couples have been fooling themselves in lust and giggles while they exclaim "till death do us part" only to divide their separate ways? The statistics reflect this attitude; it has been a steady climb from 50% of couples will divorce when I was a child to now it is in the 60% range. The majority has clearly expressed their desire to not follow through with their vows, and we don't want to be a nation of liars so why not tell the truth?
We can even use Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro as promoters for this! Anyone remember their reality mini-series about their wedding preparations on MTV? The show was called Till Death Do Us Part, and what happened after the show? I think it was less than 2 years and they divorced. Not a good example? What about Newlyweds? Nick Lache and Jessica Simpson, they lasted what 4 years? I even remember a couple years ago they hosted a Christmas special on how to have a successful marriage. This is so the perfect time for such a change. Enough Americans idolizes and imitates celebrities in what they wear, how they act, and how they have their relationships. Oh I can see the posters for this already; it will be a grand experiment.
Furthermore, the only thing variable which has reduced the divorce rate has been people ceasing to marry altogether. Why don't they get married? They have this haunting feeling of commitment and lifelong decision hanging over their head. It is really too stressful to want to handle it for much of today's young adults. Oh, and it wouldn't have to stop there either. Since such a caveat would exist, alimony, and settlements, would be so much easier to deal with. In fact, people need not even change their names upon union just add a hyphen or parentheses so they can use their married name when convenient. We can split things right down the middle like they never attempted to sacrifice a thing going in. This may sound horrific to some, but be honest with ourselves, what has this country, our society made marriage into from what it was. Might as well make it official now. I think the great state of California is ready for such an update.
This is not the end either, I mean, if we can change the goal/depth that the marriage will last we can revamp the entire institution altogether. Marriage is far too infringing on our desire for a more comfortable lifestyles. Think of the joy people would experience, they could change any aspect they want and it will still legally be called marriage. This is truly a revolutionary problem solver. Conservatives ought to be satisfied in the institution being honest. Liberals ought to be joyous they could customize its practice without regret.
Where better to start such a revolutionary idea? I noticed Democrats have more or less swept the House elections, last I saw 11/13 seats up for grab went to Democrats. This country has spoken it is in the mood for change, and this fits right into the ideology of such social liberation. Think of the relief so many couples would have from this change. They wouldn't feel the burden to last through terrible years with the same person for their entire life... People will start their final step into the most cherished relationship with a clearer idea as to how much they ought to give into it, as much as they want, and if they don't want to give more of themselves they don't have to!
For those of you that still don't see where I am going with I am merely suggesting the institution modernize with the current society. Maybe I should propose this idea on some Danish forums to see how they go with it first? They seem to be willing to try anything but the traditional. Remember, we live in a society that exclaims “there is no right or wrong!” We should not judge what someone does, people might become offended. This is the 21st century people; it is about time that we finally started to go with the flow. What better way than to modernize the backbone of society? I can just imagine the millions of people feeling all warm and fuzzy with this revolutionized marriage, can you see it too?
Although, for some of people, a rather small majority that tends to think marriage is something special, they might put up a bit of a fuss. Not a big enough one to make a difference once this gets started. The "religious right" will likely try to take a stance against it, but come on, when was the last time Christians made an imprint on changing the moral direction of this country? What happened when they tried to declare an Amendment to define marriage in its traditional sense? It failed miserably! The political clout of the religious right during the days of Pres. Regan are only memories. The only reason they were successful in those battles was because of the propaganda of communism knocking on our front door was apparent...If this gets big enough, perhaps this is what the Constitution could use to define marriage! Define it on feelings, just the way millions have based it on. Let's get with the times people. Marriage means close to nothing in so many hearts, lets make in mean close to nothing in law as well.
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