The definition of marriage has come into question, or debate, in recent times as much, or even more than it ever has in history.
I have written on a wide range of marriage-related topics. From The 7 Rings of Marriage™ to the risk that comes with marriage, to requirements for a successful marriage, to the most popular marriage advice ever given.
But what is marriage? What exactly is marriage about?
An online dictionary defines marriage as the following:
“the formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife”
I recently found a YouTube video that addresses this topic. The video is very short and captures an answer to that very question, “what is marriage?” What makes this video stand out is who is discussing this. It’s not a marriage expert, marriage author, or even a married couple. The discussion is between Grover and a kid named Jesse on Sesame Street. Yes, the children’s show Sesame Street attempts to answer the question, “what is marriage?” through the eyes of a kid and puppet.
Your marriage is impacted by how you answer this question
As I said, the video is very short. But the video has some simple questions, which I think are good for couples to ask themselves. Whether you are married, engaged, or just dating I encourage you to answer the questions Grover is asking Jesse, for yourself. Perhaps it’ll help you to look at your relationship in another way, a simpler way, which just may change your marriage for the better.
What is marriage to you?
It will be interesting to see if, in time, the dictionary definition of marriage is changed as homosexual marriage is now the law in about 1/3 of our states. But that’s another topic for another time. I am a Justice of the Peace in the state of Connecticut and over the years I’ve officiated at about 15 weddings. While I try to vary what I say based on knowledge of the couple in pre-marriage talks, there are two things I emphasize in every wedding, that marriage is driven by the 3 C’s: commitment, compromise, and communication (again a topic for another time). The other point I make, and it’s germane to this topic, is the mathematics in marriage is 1 + 1 = 1 In other words, while each partner has a distinct personality and opinions on a wide range of topics, when it comes to acting as a married couple the pair is a single unit.
Good question to answer. I’m with Hal on this one- It is a partnership. When both spouses make it about the other person, it is a team functioning as one unit. When a marriage has selfishness involved, marriage is done seperately and problems quickly ensue.