Ms. Flanagan in Time magazine, this week, examines the toll divorce exacts from children. While we recognize that marital bliss is something of great worth, we are not prepared to put in the hard work and sacrifice to get to this point. The essay concludes with the question of what marriage’s purpose happens to be. Is it meant to give pleasure to adults or does it have the traditional purpose of ensuring the new generation’s safe passage into adulthood? (She bypasses MANY other possibilities.) The final verdict? “What we teach about the true meaning of marriage will determine a great deal about our fate.”
The above essay paints a challenging picture. Divorce rates are roughly 50% of all marriages. The work of mediators and mediation will have much impact on how future generations thrive (or fail) in light of the odds that are adverse to their interests. Our work is cut out for us. I prefer to think the naysayers are wrong. If they are not, we have a great deal of hard work ahead of us. Mediators, start your engines.
Tags: Divorce, marriage, Mediation, Time magazine
