Marriage going the way of the dinosaurs?

From a small voice in the Bible belt.

On the front page of this morning's Lawton Constitution is the headline "What's a family? Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete."

First, the article mentions divorced people.  People cannot get divorced unless they are married. Divorced people were once married.  They utilized the accepted legal system to get married.  When things didn't work out, they also utilized the accepted legal system to get un-married.  Property and possessions were divided in the courts; child support and custody issues were settled in the courts.  Divorced people were once married and have nothing to do with the institution of marriage going by the wayside.  They are simply people that recognized that that particular marriage, for whatever reason, was not working out so they divorced.   To me, the institution of marriage is still intact. 

Now, let's move on to people who live together.  Great.  Go for it but don't expect the courts to divvy up your shared life when you both decide to end it.  And, if (for the love of God, why?), you have reproduced, you are really swimming in a murky pool.

I am not talking about morality and immorality.  I am simply talking about smart and stupid.  Women, let's be smart about our bodies.  Use birth control. (I cannot believe the number of young women in my state who are having babies willy-nilly with no thought for the future, theirs or their children's.)  The Pill was such a huge thing in the 1960s.  Since that time so many new forms of birth control have been developed.  They only work, though, if you use them.


Men, use birth control.  Protect yourself from unwanted pregnancies and disease.

Do not reproduce until you are with a person who is as committed to your life together as you are.  Be smart! Don't be stupid. 


Recently I heard a young couple say that having a kid together is no reason to get married. Having a child is every reason to get married.  A child unites two people forever.  You will be linked through the child even if, at some point, you and your significant other go your separate ways.  

Children are forever.   Marriage isn't always a forever matter, but it is the legal system that the United States uses to recognize the establishment of a relationship.  And if gay people want to get married, go for it.  Gay people should be able to use the United States legal system just like heterosexual citizens.

Looking at situations through "tsk, tsk, bad or good" and "Heaven or hell" will bite us every time.

Try to handle life realistically.  Here in my flyover state, we bury our heads in the sand.  "Our teenaged daughter isn't having sex;"  "my son is a good boy, he would never do anything like that;" "but the Bible says . . . (pick your poison)."

Use birth control.  Take precautions.  Make every child a wanted child.


Well, I've gone off topic from my opening paragraph and I know I sound like such an old lady.  Nevertheless.  Be smart.  Don't be stupid.