Another Paper Just For You

Ok, it's not my best work, but I'm happy with how it turned out, seeing that I started it at 0130 and finished around 0300. It's a philosophical paper (or at least it's supposed to be ha ha). The requirement was simply to define marriage in an attempt to later write a longer paper about the legalization of gay marriage (and whether we agreed with it or not). I liked the idea because an argument is very weak without a proper definition. I tried as hard as I could for the time that I wrote it. If I could write it again, it would probably look much different, and who knows if it'd be any good. Either way, read it carefully, because the end might lead you to an incorrect conclusion about yours truly (a classmate of mine accused me of being anti-marriage - please!!!). Enjoy - - and comments are greatly appreciated (I'm pretty much requesting comments - I like my writing to be critiqued :D ) . . .

PAPER 2

A mutable concept, marriage is presently the universal term for the union, both legally and economically, of a man and a woman. The main foundation of the social institution of family since the beginning of time has always been marriage. A legally-bonding agreement, marriage usually indicates a desire to carry on a family name through procreation, not that reproduction is impossible without marriage. Marriage does not have to lead to a family with the stereotypical two-and-a-half kids, however. Often times, career-oriented individuals will marry simply to make a public statement of a private relationship, another reason for the wedding process. A public declaration of love and dedication, a wedding can show family and friends of the couple what the couple intends to do through the marriage. Disregarding the role of children, a marriage can simply be the union of two people who care about each other enough to publicly and legally call each other their own.

Throughout history, marriage has provided an opportunity for individuals to dedicate completely to another in an honest, monogamous fashion. Intended to be for life (“Until death do us part”) it also mandates quite a long-term commitment from both participating parties. Providing the opportunity for an honest sexual relationship, the intimacy between the two individuals is such that it becomes unlike any other relationship. Marriage remains a chance for two people to enter into the closest of bonds, and gives them the benefits of being completely reliable on another individual.

Presently, marriage is one of the most violated contracts. The sanctity of the institution of marriage has declined in the minds of people because of this factor. Marriage is not presently regarded with the same respect and honor as it once garnered from the citizens of the world. The destruction that can come from divorce is reason enough to not take part in the activity. It seems that marriage has evolved into an easily established (marriage licenses are known to be given to highly intoxicated people in Las Vegas) and frequently discarded combination of two people’s estates. A vow-driven practice, marriage is slowly losing its importance and role in society. If marriages begin to last longer (how about for life?) and seem to mean more to those participating, then it may regain its role as the highly-esteemed institution that it actually is. Until then, marriage will remain a joke, a game, and ostensibly an undesirable way to spend the quickly-moving years of one’s life.

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Here's a brief, "what-could-have-been addition" to the paper: I was just trying to say that because of the way that so many people of my age and older are handling relationships (living together prior to marriage, premarital sex) that the actualy act of marriage is tarnished. It's not the same. Plus, what is added to the couple when they get married? All that changes is a little piece of paper, a wide range of gifts from long-lost relatives, and joint bank accounts. There's not that much of a difference, thus the act of "marriage" does not hold the same oomph, if you will.

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A Very PRO-Marriage Justin (Heather, I can't wait!!)