Civil Law: Forecasting Changes in Love, Marriage, and Divorce by 2040

This essay examines the anticipated changes in relationships, marriage, and divorce by the year 2040, viewed through the lens of Civil Law. It posits that while friendships may evolve due to changing societal attitudes, the core need for companionship will persist, potentially leading to an increase in cross-sex friendships. The essay suggests a future where commitment in long-term partnerships may be challenged, with potential rises in divorce rates despite couples possibly delaying marriage. It also discusses the potential increase in cohabitation as a trial period before marriage, and a possible decline in the perceived value of marriage itself, influenced by individual desires and technological advancements in partner-seeking. Furthermore, the essay addresses the likelihood of increased relationship violence due to heightened expectations and concludes by emphasizing that while divorce rates might initially rise, a greater emphasis on marital commitment and later marriages could lead to a decrease in divorce rates by 2040.

Civil Law

By 2040, it is being expected that friendship and love relationship will become more
complex. “Friendships are different from love relationships as in this people are less
emotionally intense and usually do not involve sex”. People in the United States love to make
friends for enjoying their life. It is being expected that in future the friendships can be
affected due to the change in the behaviour and attitude of the people. However, it will
remain the same for some people. Cross-sex friendships will increase because people would
get more freedom and search for more happiness. It will assist to decrease lower dating
anxiety levels and increase the capacity of intimacy. "Research shows that development of
the romantic relationship is a complex process influenced by relationships in childhood and
adolescence”. It is being expected that in future people who would select a partner for a
permanent relationship may not keep bond their bond and opt for divorce. However, if these
couples give more time for their relationship and work on it then they may become
committed to each other (Ellison and Gray, 2009). “People meet people in all sorts of places
both virtual and real”. By 2040, the activities of people for searching partners would increase
because the use of technologies will increase and there would be more knowledge about how
to find a partner. Due to the increasing complexities, people would face difficulties in suitable
relationships. “Sometimes relationships become violent; one person becomes aggressive
towards the partner, creating an abusive relationship”. By 2040, the violence in relationships
will increase because people would not be happy in their relationships as there would be
higher expectations from each other. “People in committed, intimate, sexual relationships but
are not married may decide to living together or cohabitation”. In future, cohabitation will
increase because couples would test their relationship in the context of the potential marriage.
By 2040, it is expected that value of marriage relationships will decrease because people
would more likely to enjoy their life as per the needs and expectations. "Marriage is defined
as subjective happiness and contentment, personal fulfillment or simply the fact that the
couple is still married". Successful marriages depend on certain factors like the maturity of
the two parties at the time of marriage, financial security, homogamy, trusting each other,
being honest and making joint decisions. Marital satisfaction is seen to be higher at the time
of marriage and lower in the later stage of their life. Married couples must be flexible and
adaptable to make their marriages work long (Lerner, 2009). The birth of a child cannot be a
reason for the drop in marital satisfaction as childless couples also feel the same. The best
ways to keep a marriage long and happy are by making out time for your loved person,
expressing love to them, by being beside them when in need of support, communicating
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about problems in a relationship, by showing interest in spouse's life, by forgiving minor
offences of the spouse and trying to understand the major ones. The age at which the couples
are getting married has increased in the recent years which in turn will reduce the chance of
getting divorced in the future. Getting married at early ages increases the risk of getting
divorced.
By 2040, it is expected that the rate of divorce will increase among couples. “In United
States, divorce is common because 50% of marriage relationships ends at divorce”. By 2040,
it is expected that the divorce rate will decrease because people will become more serious
about marriage and wait longer to marry. Divorce depends on how couples are handling
conflicts. A person after getting divorced generally waits for three to four years before getting
remarried. The rate of remarriage varies among different ethnic groups. Military veterans are
more likely to get remarried.
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References
Ellison, P. and Gray, P. (2009). Endocrinology of social relationships. 3rd ed. Cambridge,
Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Lerner, A. (2009). Marriage. 3rd ed. Detroit, Mich.: Greenhaven Press.
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