"Despite high divorce rates, marriage is still a valued goal and status."

~Dr. Ambert, Cohabitation & Marriage The Vanier Institute of the Family~

Related Links

Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre
Naprotechnology & Fertility Care Programme, Canada
www.fertilitycare.ca

The CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System
www.creightonmodel.com

NaProTECHNOLOGY
A Major Breakthrough In Woman's Gynecological Health Care
www.naprotechnology.com

The Billings Ovulation Method
www.billings-centre.ab.ca

Serena BC
www.vcn.bc.ca/sereabc/index.html

The Medical Institute for Sexual Health
www.medinstitute.org

Institute of Marriage & the Family
www.imfcanada.org

The Vanier Institute of the Family
www.vifamily.ca

Benefits of Marriage

Marriage is the most common and widely accepted form of family formation in Canada, with 81.6% of families comprised of married couples.

From a purely psychological perspective most men and women do not thrive in volatile situations where there is the threat of dissolution in their relationships. Women, more than men, tend to suffer from multiple sexual partners and multiple break-ups. Compare the tenuousness of "living together" to the stability of a marriage entered into with an intended lifelong commitment. Marriage promises protection from abandonment and responds appropriately to a longing in people for authentic love. Despite the fact that marriage does not always deliver what it promises, the intention to live up to what it pledges provides this form of relationship with greater stability and duration. Admittedly, the level of commitment is higher, particularly for men.

Marriage remains the most widely accepted and common form of family formation in North America and much of the world. "It is the most institutionalized form of family formation: It is legally accepted, it is supported by rules of behaviour, it involves duties and rights that are clearly delineated and on which there is wide public consensus. Despite high divorce rates, marriage is still a valued goal and status."(1)

Marriage is an outward sign and public exchanging of vows that reflect the commitment of one person’s life to another. For many, marriage justifies the sexual aspect of their relationship and unequivocally provides the best environment for the children that will come from their parents’ union.

"Compared to cohabitation, marriage tends to last longer, represents a higher level of commitment, particularly by males, and is a more secure institution. Marriage also provides more socially visible linkages between two families and has a greater potential to increase social support."(2)