is marriage a joke these days?

It really depends on the person, the people who get divorced 5 times obviously don't understand the meaning of a marriage but there are still people out there who value the sacredness of a bond between a man and woman

NO marriage is not a joke! It's a very serious commitment. So NOT all marriage's are happy ones that doesn't mean Marriage is a joke to all. The only advice I can give is: If you are not ready to live and devote your life to one person until death due you part then don't get married! Marriage isn't always "They lived Happily Ever After". People are only human; mistakes happen! The test is can you get through those difficult times and grow stronger? If not stay single and mingle.

before the 20th century marriage was more of a business arrangement than a romantic commitment. also the church made divorce very prohibitive. few were willing to risk the stigma of abandoning their families. now people for the most part marry for love. 2 out of 3 couples find they don't have true love and when the passion fades they resent and regret their decision. there are no premarital education services. few people honestly look at their parents relationship for clues to their marital future. lust is a blinding light that doesn't allow you to see the cliff you about to step off of.

then there is that remaining third who do find true love. they're not blinded by the light of passion and love their significant other because of (not in spite of) that person's faults, defects, and shortcomings. they find someone they can't ever live without and make great efforts to ensure that their relationship is always their first priority. keeping their interaction fresh and interesting, because that other completes them, understands them, and is emotionally moved by the sight of their smile after 20 years of seeing it.

marriage takes work, patience, a sence of humor to be successful, and a self honesty that some people just can't do to last forever.

Are you speaking from experience? Marriage has it's ups and downs and there are lots of us who fight to make ours work. Even though every bone in your body says to put your foot in his @ss, you just don't do it, lol! But seriously, it is hard work, but if you two together are worth it, it pays off in the long run. It also sets a good example for your kids. Teaching them to not give up so quickly if something doesn't happen for them as easily as they think it should. But you do have those couples who live together, and date for years and years and then get married, and divorce three months later. Well that was bound to happen because there was nothing left to fight for. No surprise, no spark.

Most people marry for the wrong reasons such as, pregnancy support, financial support, lonely, desperate, and unrealistic expectations such as thinking that their spouse will obey their every word, thinking spouse will remain attractive, thinking they can change spouse into what they want spouse to be.

Marriage is about compromise, It is a collaboration between 2 people who must communicate effectively in order to have their concerns addressed. Both parties should be patient and considerate of how their actions affect the spouse. Marriage is about working as a team. Making decisions as a team. My own parents marriage is falling apart because they do not operate as a team. They make big "family" decisions without discussing the issue together.

Marriage is about doing and talking about what is best for both of us,

The quicky divorce destroyed marriage. Now it's just easier to get a divorce than to actually learn how to work things out. I'm in favor of a 1 year waiting period before marriage, and a 1 year waiting period before divorce.

My marriage is no joke but I understand what you are saying. I think if people just matched up with people that treat them well, they can get along with and the want to experience life with all else with fall in place...

No its not a joke,people choose not to get married.

Im 18 and im married its becoming one with the person you love,marriage is very serious.

yes but not a good one!

Yes.

:)