Exercise 4.3 - Third lead

"In the past twenty years, marriage in America has undergone a profound, irrevocable transformation, driven by changes in women's roles and the heightened expectations of both men and women. Without realizing it, we have crossed a marital Rubicon. For the first time in our history, the decision to stay married is purely voluntary. Anyone can choose to leave at any time—and everyone knows it, including the children. There used to be only two legal routes out of marriage —adultery and abandonment. Today one partner simply has to say, for whatever reason, 'I want out.' Divorce is as simple as a trip to the nearest courthouse." (Wallerstein)

Marriage commitments are so easy to break these days. It really is just a "simple trip to the nearest courthouse." The reasons for divorce do not have to be complicated or even significant. There might not even need to be reason. Divorce is seen as a fact of life these days. However, it is not the fault of our government for making it so easy to obtain. It is the common lack of commitment in marriages. Why else would a German politician propose that marriages have expiration dates? Where is the commitment in that? If your marriage is going to expire in a certain number of years, commitment is not necessary. However, in order for marriage to unite two people, there must be a willing commitment.