Marriage, choosing the person you will go through life with, is probably the biggest decision we ever make in our lives. Some people make that decision very early on in their lives. I have good friends who were high school sweethearts and have been married for over 40 years. For others like myself, my life partner didn't come along until I was in my 30s. Whatever the case, there is a process by which we determine that person is "the one." But as with a lot of things, a younger generation has come along that has tried to improve on that tried and true process. However, this is yet another instance where, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
💍Young people today see marriage as a “strategy” to getting better “access to healthcare, housing, and even basic financial security," says generational expert Bryan Driscoll.
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) March 10, 2025
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By now, most people have seen the viral clip from the Netflix reality show "Love Is Blind." One of the couples is literally standing at the altar, and the bride announces she cannot go through with the marriage because, in a word, the groom is just not woke enough for her. Okay, right off the top, let's acknowledge that a reality show is not an ideal place to make what should be a lifelong decision. And because this is a "reality" show, the producers are looking for a certain amount of conflict and drama to keep the audience glued. So, already, these couples have not gone through a normal dating process, where they get to know who the other person really is and make an informed decision. Hence the premise of the show.
READ MORE: The Power of Love: Brazilian Couple Breaks a Remarkable Record
But do other GenZers like those on "Love Is Blind" have some pretty unrealistic expectations of marriage in general? Not long ago, I wrote about a friend I had known for over 30 years who just could not tolerate the fact that I am a Trump supporter and unfriended me after the election. Sadly, there are thousands of other stories like mine. But it seems as though dropping friends like bad habits if they have differing views is pretty easy for GenZers. After all, how hard is it to hit "delete"? Given the state of public education, this generation appears to simply be mentally unequipped to deal with anyone who thinks differently than they do, much less be married to them.
Gen Z women rank marriage as 7th in their list of priorities https://t.co/nGRlKtJLfV
— H. Pearl Davis (@pearlythingz) October 18, 2024
Proof of this might lie in something the bride in the show clip said to the groom in the process of dumping him. She says that she wants a husband who thinks exactly the way she does and that “I always just assumed I would meet a guy who aligns in every single aspect.” I can only speak for myself and my 24 years of marriage this October, but that has to be one of the most unrealistic things I have ever heard. Apparently, had the groom gone through with this nightmare, he would have been expected to give up all independent thought.
Most people would say that a couple should agree on the big things, the things that affect your life together. Will they have children, if so, how many? Will just one of them work or both? I would say that there are some things no one tells you about marriage, but not agreeing on everything wasn't one of them. They say opposites attract, and Randy Noble and I are the likely poster children for that concept. He is a Christian, I am not, necessarily. We differ somewhat on a few political topics and sometimes others as well. But we listen to each other, and we respect the other's viewpoint, even if we don't agree. It's not hard. But one thing we do both agree on, if we agreed on everything, life would be pretty boring.
Most of us learn to navigate the disagreements because our lives together are worth the time and effort. For a few of my RedState colleagues, those disagreements include Rusty Weiss being a lifelong Dodgers fan while his bride of 21 years is a Yankees devotee. Needless to say, last year's World Series was rough in the Weiss household. Our own Bob Hoge likes to go camping, but his wife of 29 years, not so much. She will rough it at a hotel. And for Ward Clark and his bride of 33 years, Mrs. Clark is a 9mm girl, while he prefers a .45.
ALSO READ: Sen. Tim Scott Marries Mindy Noce, Continuing His Inspirational Story of Hope and the American Dream
In 2025, marriage in America looks pretty bleak. A startling 41 percent of first marriages end in divorce. The reasons given include age at the time of marriage, education level, income, and cultural background. The odds of success don't get much better if there is more than one marriage. Political beliefs are important, but thankfully, many marriages have survived differing political opinions and elections. We all can't be Mary Matalin and James Carville, who recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. But maybe GenZers should study them and realize it's okay to have a few differing opinions...and also swear off reality shows.
Love is Blind bride leaves groom at the alter because he’s not a far left BLM/LGBTQ supporting social justice warrior.
— Right Winged Angel (@RightWngdAngel) March 8, 2025
He dodged a 50 cal bullet. pic.twitter.com/wK4TG0PYiP
