When a couple steps up to the altar, they begin a new chapter of their life. Both of the people—standing in front of friends and family—say "I do" and promise to stay with each other until the day they die. Unfortunately, this promise isn't always kept; marriage isn't taken as seriously as it used to be, which is a new arising problem in the United States. The bible says, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:9 Marriage was meant to last a lifetime—that’s the way God wanted it to be.

There is a reason that divorce has become more common; the laws have made it easier to divorce, and it's become very inexpensive and convenient. With a single signature from the bride and groom, the divorce is final. Households with parents having two careers also have a higher divorce rate because of stress trying to organize events, solve problems, and have a strong family. Sometimes the wife feels that she is responsible for more household jobs, and the husband isn't doing any vital jobs around the house. With today’s economy, dual career homes are becoming more common, making this divorce rate rise. Remarriage also contributes to the rising divorce rate. Studies show that second and third marriages have a better chance of divorce, mostly because people don't wait for the right person to come, and they are too eager to have a partner again.

Divorce doesn't affect just the two people directly involved, it affects everyone around them. Especially

business partners, parents of the couple, and children. After a divorce, kids are forced to either split time with their parents or live with just one. This puts lots of extra, unnecessary stress on the kids. Studies say that 85% of children with behavioural problems and 71% of high school drop outs are from fatherless homes. This shows just how much divorce affects children in the home.

Divorce may put people in bad moods and make them difficult to get along with; this wouldn't be an ideal situation for the work world to deal with.

There are many ways to prevent divorce, but not many couples take the steps to achieve, or even try this. When couples go through counseling before marriage they have a much lower rate of divorce. Also, couples that practice their religion regularly have a much lower divorce

rate, around one to two percent. Marrying at a later age is also a way to help prevent divorce—women married

Copyright © 2004 The New York Times New York, Sunday, January 31, 2010

Divorce in the United States

over twenty-five are the most triumphant in their marriage. Having more maturity, more wisdom, and more experience helps have success in a long term marriage.

-Stephanie Phillips

Many people don’t realize—or can’t comprehend—how marriage lasts a

lifetime.