Marriage means someone loves you so much they want to commit themselves to you until death. If a person is not willing to make that commitment their love is not real unselfish love, but only a love based on fulfilling their own needs. We
take vows when we marry because marriage is better for men, for women, for children and for
society. We make promises and take vows and oaths about matters that are important--both to us personally and for society in general.
Marriage civilizes men. It directs their testosterone-filled bodies to constructive rather than destructive paths. Having responsibility for a wife, a home and children gives them a greater purpose in life than just living for themselves. Having a monogamous sexual relationship means less STDs and unexpected pregnancies.
Marriage gives a woman security and enhances her self-esteem because she is especially loved by a man who is not related to her. It offers her the security of someone to support her emotionally through pregnancy and childbirth. There is also the security of having the father of her child share the responsibility of raising and supporting him.
Marriage is especially important for children. All scientific research has shown that children grow up the healthiest--emotionally, physically and as a productive member of society--if they are raised in an intact home by their biological mother and father. It also shows that even in dysfunctional marriages children fare better than those raised in divorced families or single parent households.
The foundation of society is marriage and the family. As the family goes, so goes society. The best way to have a strong, vibrant society is to encourage marriage between a man and a woman.
