THREE IMPORTANT PUBLIC PURPOSES SERVED BY MARRIAGE

1. Societies seek to ORGANIZE THE BEARING AND REARING OF CHILDREN

through marriage as an institution. Ensures that children have the love and support of
their father and mother.

2. Marriage PROVIDES DIRECTION, ORDER, AND STABILITY TO ADULT SEXUAL

UNIONS and to their economic, social, and biological consequences.

3. Marriage CIVILIZES MEN AND WOMEN, furnishing them with a SENSE OF

PURPOSE, NORMS, AND SOCIAL STATUS that orient their lives away from vice and
toward virtue.

INTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE

NATURAL MUTUAL SELFGIVING: fidelity , acceptance : Permanence /Exclusivity

ELEVATES, ORDERS, CONSTRAINS NATURAL DESIRES: Procreative and Unitive

Meaning of sexual drive ( Unique Biological Unity)

PERFECTS SEXUAL NATURE : Procreative and Unitive Meaning of sexual drive ( Unique
Biological Unity)

NATURAL DEFENSE AGAINST COMMODIFICATION and TRIVIALIZATION OF

HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ( Till death....)

The Church teaches that marriage "helps to overcome selfabsorption, egoism, pursuit of one's
own pleasure, and to open oneself to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving“ ( Catechism of
the Catholic Church #1609).

EXTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE ( Utilitarian Goods )

I. RELATIONAL GOOD
A. Personal union, intended for the whole of life, of husband and wife. ( good of spouse )
 Mutual dependence and Obligation : STRENGTHENED by PERMANENCE u
 Biological, Psychological, Emotional, Social and Sexual complementarity of the
male and female sexes. ( shared maturity) ))
 B. Ordinarily, both men and women who marry are better off as a result.

 Marriage as a COUNTER CULTURAL INSTITUTION : A SELF ( LESS ) ACT -

An opposition to a self-centered society popular culture : “ME,” `If it
feels good, do it!' DO WHAT PLEASES THEM AT THE MOMENT WITHOUT
A THOUGHT TO THE BROADER LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR
ACTIONS.
 - emotional: security, shared responsibility, protection, stability, support –

 psychological : discipline, commitment, long- term outlook, fidelity,

testosterone levels ( moral too ) - social : paternity, suppport

 economic: financially, responsible expense ( savings )

 physical : health is shared responsibility, women less victimized

 moral: avoidance of risky behaviours, more civilized, industry,

Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Men Researchers have found many benefits for men who are
in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following statistics:

Longer lives
Physically healthier W
ealthier Increase in the stability of employment
Higher wages
Emotionally healthier
Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
Have better relationships with their children
More satisfying sexual relationship Less likely to commit violent crimes
Less likely to contract STD's Less likely to attempt or commit suicide

Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Women

More satisfying relationship
Emotionally healthier
Wealthier Less likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other violent crimes
Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
Less likely to contract STD's Less likely to remain or end up in poverty
Have better relationships with their children
Physically healthier
Vatican Council II affirms that the intimate partnership of married life and love is not only
ordered towards the goods of offspring and society, but also for the good of the spouses.
(Gaudium et Spes #48)

John Paul II speaks of the capacity for marriage to cure the negative effects of sin with the help
of God's grace in the sacraments, and through prayer and forgiveness in the family. (Letter to
Families #14)

II. PROCREATIONAL GOOD

 Satisfies children’s need to know their biological origins : FATHER and MOTHER
 a framework of love for nurturance, education and development
 seedbed of sociability and virtue

 Protects and nurtures mental , psychological, sexual, moral, emotional and social health
of children
 Sexuality differences are crucial in Parenting
 FEMALE HORMONE : Peptide Oxytocin
 MALE HORMONE : Testosterone

The Church recognizes the goodness of unity and difference in existence. Just as the persons of
the Trinity are different, yet have all that the other has, so also do men and women in marriage
become fully one, but with different resources and ways of relating. (John Paul II, Letter to
Families #8 & Mulieris Dignitatem #10)

Speaking about the equal dignity of men and women, the U.S. Bishops address gender
difference. They talk about particular physical and psychological gender traits that result in
varying skills and perspectives. As noted above, men and women mutually benefit from
marriage, but they receive these benefits in different ways. (USCCB, Follow the Way of Love,
1993, p.19)

III. SOCIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL GOOD

A. Marriage is a wealth-creating institution, increasing human and social capital.

1. network of relationships: a key ingredient of the “social capital” (generosity, self-

sacrifice, trust, selfdiscipline) - crucial in every domain of social life.

2. economy and state depend upon families to produce the next generation of
productive workers and taxpayers.

3. ordered and regulated sexual relationships benefits human society

 B. Marriage sustains civil society and promotes the common good.

1. renewal of human capital : national economy needs human capital at replacement

level
2. young stable patterns of work and self-reliance, directed by parents , provides
basis for developing useful skills/ gaining a profession.

MARRIAGE BENEFITS ON CHILDREN ( Statistics)

More likely to attend college
More likely to succeed academically
Physically healthier
Emotionally healthier
Less likely to succumb to drugs or alcohol abuse
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

3. Marriage/ family assist in caring for the sick and elderly and provide
unremunerated care for their loved ones, paying taxes, and produce children
forming future generations of tax-paying workers.

4. . Marital breakdown reduces the collective welfare of our children, strains our
justice system, weakens civil society : Public expenditures on criminal justice,
police, courts, and prisons

Crime is driven in part by the breakdown of marriage.

5. When marriage weakens, the equality gap widens, as children suffer from the
disadvantages of growing up in homes without committed mothers and fathers.

6. A functioning marriage culture serves to protect political liberty and foster limited
government intrusion.

7. Religion plays a vital role in creating and sustaining marriage as a social

institution. ( limits state intrusion )