Fortunately, these recommendations come at a time when
increasing numbers of people are working to support a marriage
culture in our country. The marriage movement can be a helpful
support and benefit to those who are married and those who are
not. "Support for marriage . . . does not require turning back the
clock on desirable social change, promoting male tyranny, or
tolerating domestic violence. . . . Whether an individual ever
personally marries or not, a healthy marriage culture benefits
every [person] . . . ."
The institution of marriage, which has been universally accepted
as the way to provide for children and realize adult dreams, has
also been affirmed by scholarly research as the way to increased
health, happiness, and financial security. Although the increase
in cohabitation and its implications for marriage are still being
studied, the statistics do not tell the entire story. A movement
among young people, usually in religious settings, has led
thousands of youth to promise to wait for sex until after they are
married, thus foregoing cohabitation as well. These young adults
have rejected the cultural changes that some of their peers accept
as the norm.
Given the benefits of marriage to adults and children and the
discouraging data about cohabitation,
young people should be warned that the
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