Marriage

I kind of want to write about marriage but I think everyone knows how I feel. In case you don't I think that marriage is a sexist, obsolete institution. It no longer applies to modern society where lifelong coupling was neccessary for survival and propogation of the species. I think that marriage is a nice idea, if it works, but it's no longer neccessary. I think that marriage should be a personal or religious institution, but not a civil one. These days there is no reason for people to stay together their whole lives, so why be bound by society? All it does is make the eventual breakup that much more expensive and difficult. With so much divorce these days cut out all the legal crap that is binding you to each other so you can live more happily.

I'm think it's great that anyone can make a committment to each other, but the state shouldn't contribute. Really if you need the state contract as a requirement for your committment, it really isn't as strong as a personal committment. For example, if I make a committment never to go to Pluto, well, no one has ever been to Pluto so that's not a very strong committment. I think that a committment to another person, should come from the heart or from God, but not from a piece of paper.

I also think it's great if someone wants to stay with someone their whole lives. If that's your decision I applaud it. If not, that's ok too. Historically, humans could copulate and then live together for about 10-15 years. Now it's closer to 60. That is a really long time to live with somebody. I think it's acceptable to move on after a period of time. All relationships are finite and personally if a relationship is going to end I would have it end amicably then not.

I also think that serial monogamy is not a bad system. I think that polygamy does not work for very many people. If it does, that's great. I think serial monogamy does work well for humans. This way a person has companionship but isn't tied down to anyone legally or morally. People are more free to enter and exit relationships which eliminates hatred and heartache. People do this anyway so you might as well embrace it and enjoy yourself.

I think the problem with most marriages is that they are fantasies. Marriage is such an institution that it praised and glorified, that people want to be a part of it. Sadly, people get married when they shouldn't, or when the marriage goes poorly they cling to it. A failed marriage doesn't mean either person failed. Relationships existe in a specific time and place. Sometimes that time ends and it's ok.

These are just some thoughts. Feel free to disagree.