What is up with all the short-term marriages these days? Is it that we get so addicted to those feelings of lust that we have lost touch with the real meaning of love? Or is it that we need to totally redefine marriage as a short-term journey meant to end when we just feel like it? The answer clearly is not one everyone would agree on, but perhaps we need to start asking the big question. Is traditional marriage outdated?
A day does not seem to pass without another Hollywood marriage hitting the rocks. Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman, to name just a few who are reportedly divorcing. Of course, these examples are of famous people, not your average Joe Blow in suburbia. It's not the same; or is it? Certainly, in your average neighborhood, relationships are dropping like flies and there is no rich and sexy movie star involved. Perhaps it is the standard cultural expectation?
We could spend much time deliberating on why, but let's speculate for a minute. Perhaps these quick endings have as much to do with the beginnings as anything else. Not to shove old fashion values down anyone's throat, but what about the more traditional steps of courting: dating and getting to know each other, emotional attachment (falling in love), commitment and then sex!
Easier said than done when hormones are hot and heavy, but after much personal and work experience, I think there is something to these outdated/old fashion steps. Take "values" out of it and just focus on common sense. Sex releases hormones that trick you into thinking lust is love - leading to that 'I can't get enough of you' feeling - leading to marriage - leading to reduced feeling of lust - leading to the real you/them - leading to OMG what I have got myself into - leading to the big D. So perhaps this advice might not be as crazy and old fashioned as you may think.
So next time, stay out of the bedroom until there is commitment and love, and avoid the Fast Food Marriage/Divorce.