Go Green, Get Married

They say, ‘Marriages are made in heaven’. I don’t know about that.

They also say that ‘Marriages though made in heaven, are celebrated on the earth’. I kind of agree.

But there is more to it. It is quite a remarkable institution. Because it is made in heaven, celebrated on earth, but breeds & grows or dies within the four walls of a house. Hence the gods, the angels and the fellow human beings, together play an active role in forming this union of two sacred souls. However, once the union happens, they all conveniently depart, leaving the poor souls to manage their daily chores and grocery shopping lists. And it is then the real test of marriage begins.

Quite recently I was flipping through the pages of a magazine, when I came across something which triggered the thoughts I have just described in the para above. It was an article citing quotes from some famous personalities, who had condemned or denounced the institution of marriage. Some of them had never crossed this boundary, having burnt their fingers with flames of love. Others had reached their conclusions after painfully bearing the brunt of marriage woes.

I remember, when I was contemplating entering holy matrimony, some of my by-then-experienced friends had forewarned me. “buddy, there is nothing like ‘happily-married’ and/or ‘happy ever-after’.” Yet they all recommended, it is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a happy and healthy life.

Yet that article got me thinking. I agree all famous personalities are not Aristotles and Chanakayas of the world. They may or may not have an intellectual contribution to make for the larger audience. However, they do have the reach. Their voice is heard, at least by a few. And even though the proponents of this institution are present in plenty, their voice need to be echoed to immerse the opposing noise, wherever present. Further, having personally benefited greatly from its merits, I consider it my moral responsibility to speak in its favor. So given below are my two pence:

·         Time & Effort Saving – if all of us were to stay in independent set-ups, everyone will have to spend time buying groceries, paying utility bills, cleaning & cooking. However division of labor between the married couple saves time & effort.

·         Stable System – as compared to other relationships like live-in or friendship, exit barriers in a marriage are higher, lending it additional stability.

·         Higher Scope of Production – producing off-springs is essential for all species. Among humans, marriage due its higher degree of commitment & stability, lends support for long duration of child-bearing & care.

·         Encourages Investment – again given the commitment for a longer duration as compared to other forms of relationships, married couples are more likely to share resources for future investments.

These are just some of the points which I believe make marriage an efficient system, as compared to its alternative institutions. And efficiency merits encouragement.