The meaning of the word "marriage" has changed significantly even over the last 50 years in the west, and bears no resemblance to the the institution with the s

The meaning of the word "marriage" has changed significantly even over the last 50 years in the west, and bears no resemblance to the the institution with the same name that existed before that. The idea that marriage would be chosen by the individual for romantic reasons, secular marriage, etc. etc. are new. Assumptions of fidelity have even changed and changed again several times since year 0. If anyone is thinking about marriage, or troubled by this article, I strongly encourage he/she to really study what marriage meant for prior civilizations. Our society encourages people to accept modern marriage as an eternal, teleological, essential and inviolable constant of society. Imo today's US marriage is a poorly developed, haphazard, and soon-to-be obsolete layer cake of ideas which does a lot of harm. Anything which isn't working for 50% of people, and which decimates family wealth when it fails, probably deserves critical thought. The promised miracle spouse of modern marriage, who is your business partner, sexual fulfillment, therapist, childcare specialist, etc. etc. DOESN'T EXIST.