THREE IMPORTANT PUBLIC PURPOSES The Church teaches that marriage "helps to
SERVED BY MARRIAGE overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit
of one's own pleasure, and to open oneself 1. Societies seek to ORGANIZE THE to the other, to mutual aid and to self- BEARING AND REARING OF giving CHILDREN through marriage as an ( Catechism of the Catholic Church #1609). institution. Ensures that children have the love and support of their father and mother. EXTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE ( Utilitarian Goods ) 2. Marriage PROVIDES DIRECTION, ORDER, AND STABILITY TO ADULT I. RELATIONAL GOOD SEXUAL UNIONS and to their A. Personal union, intended for the whole economic, social, and biological of life, of husband and wife. ( good of consequences. spouse )
3. Marriage CIVILIZES MEN AND Mutual dependence and
WOMEN, furnishing them with a Obligation : SENSE OF PURPOSE, NORMS, AND STRENGTHENED by SOCIAL STATUS that orient their PERMANENCE lives away from vice and toward Biological, Psychological, virtue. Emotional, Social and Sexual complementarity of the male and INTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE female sexes. ( shared maturity) )) NATURAL MUTUAL SELF-GIVING: fidelity , acceptance : Permanence /Exclusivity B. Ordinarily, both men and women who ELEVATES, ORDERS, CONSTRAINS marry are better off as a result. NATURAL DESIRES ----fidelity and care. Marriage as a COUNTER CULTURAL INSTITUTION : A PERFECTS SEXUAL NATURE : Procreative SELF ( LESS ) ACT and Unitive Meaning of sexual drive ( - An opposition to a self-centered Unique Biological Unity) society popular culture : ME , `If it feels good, NATURAL DEFENSE AGAINST do it!' DO WHAT PLEASES COMMODIFICATION and TRIVIALIZATION THEM AT THE MOMENT OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ( Till death....) WITHOUT A THOUGHT TO THE BROADER LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS. Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Women Marriage has significant benefits for the well-being More satisfying relationship of adult men and women Emotionally healthier who enter into it. Wealthier - emotional: security, shared Less likely to be victims of domestic responsibility, protection, violence, sexual assault, or other violent stability, support crimes - psychological : discipline, Less likely to attempt or commit suicide commitment, long- term Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse outlook, fidelity, lowers Less likely to contract STD's testosterone levels Less likely to remain or end up in poverty ( moral too ) Have better relationships with their children - social : paternity, suppport Physically healthier - economic: financially, responsible expense ( savings ) - physical : health is shared responsibility, women less Vatican Council II affirms that the intimate victimized partnership of married life and love is not - moral: avoidance of risky behaviours, only ordered towards the goods of more civilized, offspring and society, but also for the good industry, of the spouses. (Gaudium et Spes #48)
John Paul II speaks of the capacity for
Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Men marriage to cure the negative effects of sin with the help of God's grace in the Researchers have found many benefits for sacraments, and through prayer and men who are in healthy marriages, forgiveness in the family. (Letter to compared to unhealthy marriages, including Families #14) the following statistics:
Longer lives II. PROCREATIONAL GOOD
Physically healthier Wealthier Satisfies childrens need to know Increase in the stability of employment their Higher wages biological origins : FATHER and Emotionally healthier MOTHER Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse Have better relationships with their - a framework of love for nurturance, children education and development More satisfying sexual relationship - seedbed of sociability and virtue Less likely to commit violent crimes Protects and nurtures mental , Less likely to contract STD's psychological, Less likely to attempt or commit suicide sexual, moral, emotional and social 2. economy and state depend upon families health to produce the next generation of of children productive workers and taxpayers.
Sexuality differences are crucial in 3. ordered and regulated sexual
Parenting relationships benefits human society - FEMALE HORMONE : Peptide Oxytocin B. Marriage sustains civil society and - MALE HORMONE : Testosterone promotes the common good.
1. renewal of human capital : national
The Church recognizes the goodness of unity economy needs human capital at and difference in existence. Just as the replacement level persons of the Trinity are different, yet have all that the other has, so also do men and 2. young stable patterns of work and self- women in marriage become fully one, but reliance, directed by parents , provides with different resources and ways of basis for developing useful skills /gaining a relating. profession. (John Paul II, Letter to Families #8 & Mulieris Dignitatem #10) 3. Marriage/ family assist in caring for the sick and elderly and provide unremunerated care for their loved Speaking about the equal dignity of men ones, paying taxes, and produce and women, the U.S. Bishops address children forming future generations gender difference. They talk about of tax-paying workers. particular physical and psychological gender traits that result in varying skills and 4. Marital breakdown reduces the collective perspectives. As noted above, men and welfare of our children, strains our justice women mutually benefit from marriage, but system, weakens civil society : Public they receive these benefits in different ways. expenditures on criminal justice, police, (USCCB, Follow the Way of Love, 1993, p.19) courts, and prisons Crime is driven in part by the breakdown of III. SOCIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL GOOD marriage.
A. Marriage is a wealth-creating 5. When marriage weakens, the equality
institution, increasing human and social gap widens, as children suffer from the capital. disadvantages of growing up in homes 1. network of relationships: a key without committed mothers and fathers. ingredient of the social capital (generosity, self-sacrifice, trust, self- 6. A functioning marriage culture serves to discipline) protect political liberty and foster limited - crucial in every domain of social life. government intrusion. 7. Religion plays a vital role in creating and sustaining marriage as a social institution. ( limits state intrusion )
MARRIAGE BENEFITS ON CHILDREN
( Statistics) More likely to attend college More likely to succeed academically Physically healthier Emotionally healthier Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse Be open and honest with the couples you help Seek wisdom and understanding from God Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get married Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate someone Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers Less likely to contract STD's Less likely to be raised in poverty