Divorce Culture Essay

Recent studies have shown that divorce rates among the United States have steadily increased across demographics which may be contributed by shifts if divorce culture. Marriage culture includes, “the belief, assumption, and practice that marriage is a given and forever,” whereas divorce culture, “is a set of beliefs and practices that define marriage as optional and conditional, with diverse being an option if the marriage does not work.” Additionally, it has been shown that individuals who marry likeminded characteristics, such as those with similar education levels, intelligence, social background, race, and religion are better matches and therefore contribute to marriage success. Other causes to divorce rates have been related to factors

In Luther’s The Estate of Marriage he prescribes four grounds for divorce. The first, and most important, grounds for divorce are those under the circumstances where a husband or wife cannot fulfill their conjugal duty. Additionally, both parties, that is the husband and wife, must agree to the terms. It is important to note that for Luther, to produce and raise children is a divine ordnance and therefore must be acted upon. If, for whatever reason, cannot than for Luther it is not a “real” marriage. In such circumstances Luther suggests the following script as an example to handle such a matter, “Look, my dear husband, you are unable to fulfill your conjugal duty toward me; you have cheated me out of my maidenhood and even imperiled my honor and my soul’s salvation; in the sight of God there is no real marriage between us.” It is also important to note that for Luther this is an issue of fidelity in that to in the case where a spouse cannot or will not procreate than you are precluding your spouse from fulfilling a divine will. Therefore, you would be putting your spouse at risk of committing a sin. The second ground for