Marriage “His-story”

Do I?

Marriage, aka Matrimony, aka Wedlock, is a socially accepted and recognized union establishing rights and obligations.  None of those terms seem to suggest romance. Tying the knot, the supposed unbreakable bond is often untied by divorce.

Marriage originally had nothing to do with love. Like Tina said, “What’s love got to do with it?”  Well, actually, the original concept had absolutely nothing to do with love.   For some, this fact remains.  Marriage was and still is a legal and financial institution. Women were merchandise given from the father to a man guaranteeing him biological heirs.  A woman became a man’s property.  And if she failed to produce some offspring, the husband would return her ass to her prior owner. (her old man!) He literally gave her ass back! Couples were united for completely different reasons and romantic love had absolutely nothing to do with marriage.

Once established, and later down the road, the institution was viewed differently based on social and religious beliefs. Hebrews could have more than one wife. Greeks and Romans were free to get their groove on with prostitutes and concubines. (aka sidepieces)   Wait it gets better! They were also able to satisfy their sexual needs taking on teenage male lovers.   Ironically enter the Catholic Church,  forbidding divorces and pressuring men to be faithful (except for the teenage male lover part of course!)

The concept of marriage has obviously evolved but we are still trying to honor that til death do us part, forsaking all others yada yada yada, be faithful for as long as we both shall live. (GTFOOH) News flash! Both shall live at the time romantic factors were introduced to the concept of marriage was only 10-30 years max. Not 50! That’s a long time to live with a bad decision.

Modern humans are still attempting to practice an ancient sport! And although we are “practicing” statistics show, we really aren’t that good at it. If marriage truly were a sport, most of us would have been cut from the team long ago.

Many choose to stay miserably married and give up being happy for being comfortable. They have adjusted to the misery and are tolerant of the “unhappy” state. We consume more alcohol or drugs to numb the pain. Dual income couples can afford better digs and creature comforts. Bigger house. Nicer cars.   We stay married and trade joy for an S Class Benz.

I’m not suggesting you run to the attorney’s office. What I am suggesting is that you might want to consider making adjustments to more realistic standards. Loosen the leash.  Along with most things, the concept of marriage will continue to evolve.  Get out of the stone ages! Come out of your caves.

And what happened to the concubines?