February 27

There are few if any serious, sustained arguments being made today that society can do without marriage. Even today’s critics of monogamy must grant that, at least pragmatically, we can’t really live without it. One of the reasons for this is the growing body of empirical research. . . . Evidence continues to mount up that marriage—indeed traditional, exclusively monogamous marriage—brings enormous benefits of all kinds to adults, and even more to children and society at large. (Hardcover, pp. 43–44; paperback, p. 39)

THE PARADOX. As we have seen, young adults today marry both much later and much less frequently. Fully two-thirds of Americans in their twenties say that society is just as well off if people don’t put a priority on marrying and having children as if they do.29 This is a marked change in attitude from every previous generation. It also contradicts all the empirical studies that show that traditional marriage has enormous benefits for adults and children. So why do younger adults have a view of marriage that flies in the face of both science and tradition? The answer probably has to do with the paradox that we have been exploring, namely, because of the vacuum in our lives created by the decline of religion, people need marriage too much and therefore fear marriage too much, at the same time.

Reflection: If many common views of marriage are mistaken, could we see them begin to change?

Thought for prayer: Pray not for yourself but for our society. Ask God to change hearts so that people would not miss out on the richness and joys of marriage due to inordinate fears.