Covenant marriage is an alternative form of marriage offered in a few states. Co
ID: 349725 • Letter: C
Question
Covenant marriage is an alternative form of marriage offered in a few states. Couples who elect to enter into a “covenant marriage” agree to participate in pre-marital counseling as well as to certain restrictions which may be placed on the divorce process. The covenant marriage movement, as it has been called, began as an attempt to better prepare couples for marriage, to prevent divorce, and to reduce the number of children born into single-parent households. Currently, three states (Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona) have adopted covenant marriage laws. Using your sociological imagination, along with concepts we’ve discussed to date, what kind of impact do you think covenant marriages will have on divorce rates? minimum words 241
Explanation / Answer
In my opinion, covenant marriages would help to reduce the divorce rates. The main reason for divorce is the lack of understanding of the importance of marriage and relationships in our life and the consequences of divorce. Many people decide to get divorced only because of small issues that can be solved through discussing with each other. They choose to get divorced as they find divorce as an easy solution instead of solving the issues. Covenant marriage will help to reduce the divorce in case of small misunderstandings as the restrictions placed on divorce process makes it difficult to get divorced. Covenant marriage allows divorce only in case of issues like adultery, physical abuse, sexual abuse and life threatening behavior. When the reasons do not cover the ones listed under Covenant marriage for divorce, the divorce is not granted. Hence the partners would try to discuss and solve the issues before demanding for divorce. The premarital counseling also would help them to act more responsibly understanding the importance of each other’s role in the relationship. When the partners understand the effect of divorce on the children, loving parents would try to live with mutual understanding. This also will reduce the chances of divorce. Apart from that covenant marriage discourage the people who enter into marriage without taking the relationship seriously. As it is difficult to get rid of the relationship, people may not opt for marriage if they do not really mean to get married.