The Course of Marriage

Cultural influences have definitely changed in marriage since the 1930s and 1940s. Marriage earlier centuries were characterized by traditional roles for husband and wives. The constitution of marriage was changed when on June 26, 2015 the landmark US Supreme Court decision in Obergefell vs Hodges effectively ended restrictions on same-sex marriage in the United States. In Genesis 2:18-24 (KJV) we read marriage was constituted by God when God said it was not good for man to be alone and from Adam's rib, God created Adam a help meet which was Eve. In the early 1900's husbands were the breadwinners and leaders of the household, working outside the home while wives took care of the home doing things such as cleaning, cooking and raising the children.

As of December 2019, women held just over half of all jobs on payrolls, outnumbering men for the first time since 2010 (usa.org) Women are now more independent, and the head of their homes. Women no longer stay in abusive and unloving marriages. This independence has had some effect on the divorce rate. In earlier years women were more submissive to their husbands according (Ephesians 5:22-23) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. There was an increase in the 20th century and a decline in divorce rate in the 21st century (National Center for Health Statistics). Some of the decline in the divorce rate is more people are deciding not to marry but live together in which scripture says each man is to have his own wife and each wife to have her own husband I Corinthians 7:2 (KJV) this is the commandment of God.

Government rules and regulations has made it easier to obtain a divorce. In 1969 the late President Reagan sign the Family Law Act of 1969 No Fault - Irreconcilable Differences divorce law. Some of the leading causes of divorce in the 20th century were conflict, arguing, lack of commitment, infidelity, lack of intimacy, and total breakdown in the relationship. In the 21st century the causes are lack of communication, different priorities, mental health issues, infidelity, financial stress, lack of family support, lack of commitment, and financial challenges. This is why premarital counseling is so important.

More churches have become and are more receptive of Premarital Counseling. Statistics shows that couples that receive premarital counseling marriage has a better survival rate. Christian premarital counseling is taught on biblical teachings which help both individuals to learn how to communicate, how to respect, how to become an active listener, and not to be judgmental and so much more. The Christian counselor allows the Holy Spirit which is the true counselor to led them in the counseling sessions which teaches from the perceptive of the relationship on to finances. The church I attend firmly believes in premarital counseling, which is the start, but each person must love God and love each other and keep a heart of repentance and forgiveness.

Very good post Marilyn, you made some very good points. I am in total agreement on when and how marriage took a turn for the worse. I didn't address this in my post but I love that you mentioned that President Ronald Reagan signed the Family Law Act of 1969. Sad to say that many people felt more compelled to hold on to the marriages when they were aligning up with biblical principles. But when you give them another option No Fault, then their perspective shifts and they feel that a divorce is okay just because they have outgrown their spouse or any other nonbiblical excuse. When the idea of a no fault divorce came into existence many people forgot about the true meaning of marriage and the commitment that's required. The word says in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and in many cases divorces take place because one or both spouses are thinking of themselves. In many cases when there are children involved, the parents ignore what's best for the children and they make decisions that affect everyone in a negative way.
We also have the perversion of marriage that has hurt marriages in a tremendous way. Homosexual marriages are not of God, yet our society today seems to embrace this perversion as the new norm because as they say love is love.
I agree that there are churches that focus on pre-marital counseling but I also believe that there's a big percentage of churches that do not. Statistically there's just as many divorces in the church as it is in the world. As we studied prior to this assignment, there are people in the church that may feel ashamed to seek counseling, there's depression and suicide in leadership, and many churches does not offer counseling in the church nor provide outside resources for the congregation.
I thank God that like you my church provides counseling and focuses on marriage and family.