Posted by
Dave Kooker on Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:36:18 PM
The media keeps reinforcing the fact that that the chances of a heterosexual marriage ending into a divorce here in American is 50%. Because of these dismal statistics this seems to embolden the homosexual community in their pursuit of redefining the marriage to include same sex since the institution of marriage is not successful in its statistic percentages. Most notably, the California Supreme Court striking down the will of the California voter defining the definition of marriage as one man and one woman as unconstitutional. With a little research I found that the heterosexual marriage success statistics are better than reported by the media by more than 10%.
http://www.divorcereform.org/rates.html
Per capita divorce rates 1990-2002:
1991, 0.47%
1992, 0.48%
1993, 0.46%
1994, 0.46%
1995, 0.46%
1995, 0.43%
1997, 0.43%
1998, 0.42%
1999, 0.41%
2000, 0.41%
2001, 0.40%
2002, 0.38%
Even with the Baby Boomer generation in its most selfish life’s pursuits, heterosexual marriage success rates seems to be rebounding for the better. With the typical reasons for divorce:
http://www.divorcereform.org/cau.html
· Poor communication
· Financial problems
· A lack of commitment to the marriage
· A dramatic change in priorities
· Infidelity
· Failed expectations or unmet needs
· Addictions and substance abuse
· Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
· Lack of conflict resolution skills
I believe there is another variable in the equation that has not been considered. With a few exceptions, 30,000 days is the average human lifespan. 40,000 days if you're lucky. However, two thousand years ago the average life expectancy was less than 20 years or about 7,000 days. It is amazing to realize that most of our pesky C02 producing ancestors kicked the bucket before our modern legal drinking age.
Bacteria, predators, accidents, extremes in weather and the lack of a reliable food source meant humans led short, dirty, brutal existences. That is if they survived birth at all. Infant mortality rates ranged from 300 or 400 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 18th century, while we see only seven per 1,000 today.
In 1796, life expectancy hovered around 24 years. A hundred years later it doubled to 48. In our modern world of air conditioners, hand washing and booster shots, you have a good chance of living 63 years, which is the world average. However, for those fortunate enough to live in a first-world country, lifespan jumps considerably.
http://www.efmoody.com/estate/lifeexpectancy.html
Consider the 1796 marriage. Individuals became married in their mid teens. By the time the honeymoon was over the seven year itch could start, there was a high probability that one of the marriage partners had passed away. The marriage might have lasted 8-10 years.
Consider the 1896 marriage. Individuals became married in their mid teens. By the time the honeymoon was over the couple survived the seven year itch and the mid life crisis was just beginning before there was a high probability that one of the marriage partners had passed away. The marriage might have lasted 32-34 years.
Consider the 1996 marriage. Individuals became married in their mid 20’s. By the time the honeymoon was over the couple survived the seven year itch, survived the mid life crisis, the kids leave home, boredom from retirement sets in and you have to face your spouse every day watching endless hours of television before there was a high probability that one of the marriage partners passes away. Today’s marriage can last 60+ years.
Modern human longevity has made the marriage last six times longer in over 200 years. Anything that last six times longer is going to have a higher probability of failure to include marriage.
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