Matthew Newman

Professor Camille Pack

English 2010
04/16/2015
Word Count: 1,318

It has been said, that Although the practical importance of marriage has declined, its symbolic
significance has remained high and may even have increased. It has become a marker of prestige and
personal achievement (The Deinstitutionalization of American Marriage). While the perceived
practicality of marriage may have declined, its actual practicality persists. Marriage can play a
fundamental role in a happy, and healthy life. Marriage can legally protect an individual, as well as their
children. Being raised in a married home gives children the best chance at developing to their potential.
It also brings the need intimacy and emotional attachment that every human being (whether they will
admit it or not) craves. Some may say that marriage is outdated and unnecessary, but it is in fact very
beneficial to all who are involved.

Many believe that merely living together without the legal bonding of matrimony, can be just as
beneficial as living together with it. According to FindLaw, Divorcing spouses have the obligation to
divide their property by legally prescribed methods, where At the end of a cohabitation relationship, the
parties can usually divide property however they wish. However, the absence of legal guidelines may
create even more conflict as to who gets what (Marriage vs. Cohabitation). Obviously, it would be
preferable to not have to go through the process of a divorce or a break up. But as grim as it may sound,
legal marriage, though inevitably messier when ended than non-marital relationship, actually protects you
in the chance that the relationship does end. When cohabiting couples disagree on the dividing of
property, claiming insurance or other benefits. . . (Proving a Common Law Marriage) some feel it is
important to suddenly claim Common Law Marriage, if they live in one of the fifteen states that recognize
common law marriage (States that Recognize Common Law Marriage). FindLaw also states Children
born to married couples must be financially supported during the marriage, but The Male in a
cohabiting Partnership does not incur an immediate legal obligation to support children born during the
cohabitation, but may do so voluntarily (Marriage vs. Cohabitation). To take the optimistic approach,
this lack of legal binding of a father to a child, shouldnt matter. But realistically, 1 in 4 children under
the age of 18-a total of about 17.4 million- are being raised without a father and nearly half (45%) live
below the poverty line (Single Mother Statistics). We must ask ourselves how many children would rise
to higher levels if they had been raised by both parents. Statistically speaking, marriage is more likely
than not, to result in dual-parent households. Being married can not only legally protects both partners,
but that protection extends to children as well.

Putting aside the legal and financial benefits for families,

marriage also supports the development of families. Gordon Berlin, the executive vice president of
MDRC, states, Children who grow up in an intact, two-parent family with both biological parents
present do better on a wide range of outcomes than children who grow up in a single-parent family
(Gordon Berlin The Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Families and Children). Obviously, there are
successful individuals who were raised by a steadfast single parent. But if it is more likely for children to
develop and become successful adults with two parents are present, why make them swim against the
current? Each parent in a family is unique, and has different talents/qualities. It is important for children
to receive support from both a mother and a father. Children raised in intact married families: are more
likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to be physically or
sexually abused, are less likely to use drugs or alcohol and to commit delinquent behaviors, have a
decreased risk of divorcing when they get married are less likely to become pregnant/impregnate
someone as a teenager (Why Married Parents Are Important For Children). It can be argued that this
nurturing can happen in unmarried homes, which is completely true. However, over 80 percent of
unmarried couples are still romantically involved when their child is born and nearly half are living
together. Most claim they plan to marry eventually. Yet half have broken up by their child's third
birthday (England & Edin Unmarried Couples with Children). Again, there are unmarried couples who
enjoy the same parental experiences as married couples. It is however, more likely for there to be a two
parent household when a couple is tied by marriage. Healthy Marriage on average results in more stable
environment for raising children.

Besides tangible benefits, the practicality of marriage is apparent in regards to relationship

satisfaction. Married couples report greater sexual satisfaction. Married women report higher levels of
physical and psychological health. Married people are more likely to volunteer. Being married increases
the likelihood of affluence. Married people tend to experience less depression and fewer problems with
alcohol. Getting married increases the probability of moving out of a poor neighborhood. Married men
make more money. Ever-married women are less likely to experience poverty. Marriage is associated
with a lower mortality risk (The Benefits of Marriage). This is not to say that those who are in
cohabiting relationships cannot experience this. But on average, it is reported that sexual, health, and
financial satisfaction is most likely to be achieved in a healthy marriage. Marriage, by definition means,
I will always be here for you. Marrieds long-term contract encourages emotional investment in the
relationship. In contrast, cohabitation for most seems to mean, I will be here only as long as the
relationship meets my needs. Thus, cohabitors feel less secure in their relationships (The Verdict on
Cohabitation vs. Marriage). There can be some fallacy detected in saying that all cohabitors feel insecure
in their relationships, however there is an element of truth to it. If someone is unable to feel completely
secure in their relationship, it could be difficult to develop the emotional intimacy they need. Thus,
marriage can play an important role in satisfying our emotional needs.

Marriage is still a very important and practical part of life. It ensures protection for not only the
two people involved in the relation, but for the children as well, both legally and emotionally. Marriage
can be the foundation for children to build off of and use as an example when they begin their own
families. Marriage can be the most solid relationship from which to draw the human intimacy we desire.
Although many families find most of these things without first having married, they are more likely to be
achieved through a healthy marriage. Marriage may be viewed as impractical by some. However in
viewing all the benefits, we see that while you do not have to go find a spouse immediately, eventually a
healthy marriage will bring the satisfaction most people spend their whole lives searching for.

Works Cited:
Cherlin, A. J. (2004), The deinstitutionalization of American marriage. Journal of Marriage and Family,
66: 848861. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.00058.x
"Marriage vs. Cohabitation - FindLaw." Findlaw. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://family.findlaw.com/livingtogether/marriage-vs-cohabitation.html>.
"Proving a Common Law Marriage | DivorceNet.com." DivorceNet.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.divorcenet.com/resources/divorce/proving-a-common-law-marriage.htm>.

Price, Susan. "STATES THAT RECOGNIZE COMMON LAW MARRIAGE." STATES THAT
RECOGNIZE COMMON LAW MARRIAGE. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010R-0103.htm>.
"Single Mother Statistics - Single Mother Guide." Single Mother Guide. 23 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 Apr.
2015. <https://singlemotherguide.com/single-mother-statistics/>.
"FamilyFacts.org." The Benefits of Marriage. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.familyfacts.org/briefs/1/the-benefits-of-marriage>.
"The Verdict on Cohabitation vs. Marriage." The Verdict on Cohabitation vs. Marriage. Web. 16 Apr.
2015. <http://marriageandfamilies.byu.edu/issues/2001/January/cohabitation.htm>.
Berlin, Gordon. "The Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Families and Children." Mdrc. 1 May 2004.
Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.mdrc.org/publication/effects-marriage-and-divorce-families-andchildren>.
"Unmarried Couples with Children." Unmarried Couples with Children. Ed. Paula England and Kathryn
Edin. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.russellsage.org/publications/unmarried-couples-children>.
"Why Married Parents Are Important for Children." For Your Marriage. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.foryourmarriage.org/married-parents-are-important-for-children/>.