The article challenges the common notion that finding personal happiness is a sufficient reason to get married. It points out that many people enter marriage expecting a fairytale, fueled by societal expectations of happiness and the 'American dream' of a perfect family.
The author emphasizes the high US divorce rate, hovering around 50%, to illustrate the risky nature of basing such a significant life decision solely on the pursuit of personal happiness. This statistic suggests that many people's expectations are not met.
The article criticizes the societal pressure to achieve a perfect, fairytale marriage, noting that this expectation often leads to disappointment and ultimately, divorce.
“He makes me so happy!”
This is one of the most common sentiments shared among brides to be.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being happy and excited about your wedding day. You should be with and marry someone who does make you happy.
But is this pursuit of happiness — namely, another person who can make you happy — a good reason to get into a marriage?
Let’s unpack.
It’s been this way for decades. Heads or tails — it’s literally a coin toss.
So why are people still hedging their bets when the odds aren’t in their favor?
We want the happiness and bliss we were told marriage brings. From infancy, we’re fed the idea that “your wedding day is the happiest day of your life.”
The happy family — loving husband and doting wife, a couple of kids and maybe a golden retriever — is an image that fits in perfectly with the “American dream.”
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