Although the unemployment rate is improving, U.S. policy measures caused long-term, if not permanent damage to the labor market. [No wonder so many people complain about their job outlook]. Ironically, a better economy means married couples can finally afford to get divorced. The Great Recession made some marriages stronger as couples moved together to weather the storm; and for other couples, splitting up an underwater house during the divorce was too costly. With the return of a better economy, divorces are on the upswing since it’s more affordable to get a divorce. [Maybe now is the right time, we’ve put up with each other for so long now, hmmm…we could sell the house…kids are older now…I know the grass is greener out there].
Most Americans believe that income inequality is worsening in America. That is correct, and one reason for the creation of an economic caste system is that now days, people marry people of equal education levels thereby perpetuating the inequality. It is getting harder to marry up. [I noticed that so many people filter for college degrees on Match.com]. However, 88% of Americans cited love as a “very important” reason to get married, ahead of making a lifelong commitment (81%) and companionship (76%). [Ahhh…too cute].
Cohabitating is a poor substitute for marriage. Think about it. When you’re asserting, ‘We’re just living together, we’re only living together’ it means you haven’t really committed. It means that you’re explicitly maintaining a little bit of emotional distance. You’re not locked in. Mariage is a socially understood sanctioned world that communicates to your partner commitment, really powerful, strong commitment, the kind of commitment that is hard to get out of. That’s what your brain is looking for. [I know, marriage is stronger, but it’s so risky, I don’t know if I can do it again].
