ONCE you reach your mid-20s thoughts of marriage start crossing your mind. Maybe you feel pressured from seeing your high school friends settling down with their significant other, or you’re worried that you’re going to end up being “single for life.”
Not everyone has the same misty-eyed view of marriage, though, and I’m not just talking about those who choose to be single. There are some in healthy, long-standing relationships that don’t feel the need to go through costly marriages.
You may think that’s a more Western, liberal view, but you would be surprised that many Filipino families have parents that aren’t married, or are just married in court. Most of the time, they are even happier than those who get married in the church.
So, what is the actual point of marriage?
It’s been ingrained in our heads that it’s an essential sacrament we must choose in contrast to joining the church or “single blessedness”, but other than that, why do people put the practice on such a high pedestal?
I understand all the practical reasons, to let the government recognize you are legally together and sharing a household as family; but all these benefits can still be met by simple oaths and signatures without the grand party.
It’s common practice for people abroad to file for legal partnership, which is what I talked about earlier. In the Philippines, our government hasn’t legalized it yet but many people practice it in secret with very healthy relationships.
So, I don’t think marriage is something you should pressure someone into. It’s a beautiful practice, but it’s not for everyone. If you and your partner agree to care for each other and your possible family, then your union is already blessed./PN
