Added: 02/16/2007 |
Divorce law in the United StatesIt is incredible that over 50% of marriages result in a divorce; as if going into marriage was a trend; a passing fashion fad or the latest new thing to do to be "socially acceptable" in a circle of friends or to get into a club. Governing divorce law in the United States is our very own society. It is "we the people" who have, over time, allowed the state of affairs; quite literally that we are now in.
It is the same with many pursuits we chase in life. All the energy and effort put into our jobs in order to “succeed” in the “corporate world” and gain the respect of people we spend the majority of our time with during the work day pales in comparison to the long-term” success” achievable by being wonderful spouses and parents!
The laws governing divorce in most states are ridiculous. Based on a number of different grounds, a common pleas court can grant a divorce to a couple who no longer wishes to be married. Divorce law is easy money for attorney’s these days,. With over half of the married population seeking out their services, divorce law attorneys can set their prices; drag out proceedings in order to bill more hours, costing more money and make promises to their clients that most times will be delivered. This is due to the divorce law attorney’s ability to predict the outcome based on the several hundreds of other cases he’s handled. Divorce is so easy, some couples choose to skip paying the hundreds or thousands of dollars to retain an attorney and simply buy a self divorce online!
Why is this happening and what affect does it have on our society? Promises used to be so binding that all you would need was a man’s word and you could count on whatever was promised being delivered. IN the marriage vows, couples promise many things to each other. The bonds of marriage provide safety and security and this in turn gives two people someone else to go through trials and tough times; prosperous and fun times.
When two people enter into such a serious “contract” and then break it so easily without applying the same effort and time put into something as replaceable as a job or career, the impact is far reaching. The message is sent that marriage is not worth time and effort, let alone the overall relationship with the other person. This makes us feel “disposable”. We inevitably pass these feelings on to others in our lives and begin to distrust any promise that is made. Further, we begin to apply this “disposable” concept to most things in our lives, including our children.
Our children are growing up in a society that value very little. Therefore, even our children don’t value themselves. The break down of family and of the marriage relationship, which is to be the most important of all relationships, causes the slow, painful self-inflicted breakdown of ourselves. It is now easier to get a divorce than it is to get married. If this were reversed, I doubt the divorce rates would be so high.
Divorce law should change to reflect a larger “investment” in becoming married; it should be a difficult thing to do. If two people are willing to go through something difficult to achieve their goals, it is unlikely that when hard times come, when the plateaus are reached and the love isn’t roses and chocolate anymore, they will continue to forge ahead, knowing that love is seasoned through the tough times, strengthened in the memories and treasured by their children for years to come. The best gift my parents ever gave me was their long, happy marriage; even though it wasn’t always roses and chocolate.
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