The institutionalizing of marriage protects the partners from infidelity by the other. If a member of a couple who are not married finds another partner, they can simply leave and take up with their new partner. If the couple is married, they must divorce their current partner or they may be charged with adultery. Prior to the changes of the 1970’s, divorce was hard to get. It was only allowed in cases of abuse or desertion and adultery was a serious matter with stiff penalties so the wife was protected. Today, society often turns a blind eye to adultery and there are very few penalties for adultery. In addition, divorce has become so easy, one partner can end the marriage fairly easily. By allowing easy divorce, we are not protecting women who usually end up shouldering the heaviest burden of child care in the event of divorce or desertion.
Marriage-E
17
Jan