Marriage Still Has Meaning
Generational Differences
I think at 22 I am still "nextgen", though I feel so much older most of the time. This is probably because I am married! Seriously though, I think that my generation is like any other generation regarding marriage, some of us believe in it, and others make a mockery of it. The only difference is that our parents, many of them divorced, taught us that divorce itself is no longer a social stigma. Our grandparents may disagree, but for the most part, we know the neighbors won't treat us like a pariah if we end up in divorce court. Maybe people in the past didn't get divorced as often, but there was certainly a fair amount of abuse and infidelity, people just didn't leave over it, that's all.
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
I personally have married friends my age who are starting families, finishing up Masters degrees, and have satisfying marriages. I also have observed my younger sister in very unbalanced and unsatisfactory relationships. What I have noticed about the relationships/marriages that work is that they are made up of people who believe in hard work. If we as a generation are suffering from anything it is instant gratification sydrome, which can indeed have a huge impact on marriage. Husband not pleasing you lately? Farting, cursing, and playing too much World of Warcraft? Time for a divorce! Wife gained 15 pounds, wants you to pick up your socks, and only makes 3 types of meals? Time for a divorce! We want it, and we want it now!
In order to make any marriage work a person needs infinite amounts of love, and a lot of patience and understanding. The first year of marriage is indeed the hardest, and if a person is not willing to work their behind off trying to make things work with their partner, the marriage will not work. It is not easy, and it is not always fun. But the good times, and the fact that you've gained a partner, someone who is on your side, is more than worth it. Don't lose faith, us marriage minded youngsters still exist out here, somewhere.