Marriage and Family: Marriage

Theologically, marriage is the first human institution. Sociologically, marriage is the glue that holds communities together, regulates sexuality, civilizes the home and provides for the proper development of the next generation. Anthropologists tell us marriage, a permanent linking of men and women, is found in every civilized and uncivilized society throughout human history. However, as Professor Don Browning of the University of Chicago explains, "the idea of marriage as an institution has lost favor." In the past 3 decades we have seen a dramatic increase in rates of cohabitation, divorce, and single-parenting by choice. At the same time, marriage rates have significantly declined over this same period. And this is not just an American problem. Marriage has been declining in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and many European and Central American nations. It is critical that we recover the idea of marriage for it is the bedrock of a healthy, productive, safe society.