Marriage in the New Millennium (An article written to compare marriage between 1979 and 2004)

Twenty-five years ago, marriage was simpler. In 1979, husbands and wives knew what was expected of them. Their roles clear-cut, their problems obvious. Three great issues caused the quarrels, the sulking, perhaps the breaking apart: a breakdown in communication, the loss of shared goals and interests, and sexual incompatibility. Today, that has changed. In 2004, the three commonest problems in marriage are: conflicts about money, domestic responsibilities, and children. <Tab/>Mainly because of …

…These current issues are, for many, the roots of unhappiness, marriage counseling, and divorce. Sociologists and psychologists imply that these problems could possible be destroying the delicate structure of the family. But we always look back at the generation before ours, commenting how clear-cut life used to be. Perhaps someday, our children will read a magazine article that states, "In 2004, husbands and wives knew what was expected of them. Twenty-five years ago, marriage was simpler."