Marriage is presently taken like any other business and not a goal or a rite of passage as it was previously.
African culture upholds marriage as a sacred union, a deep-rooted tradition and the beginning of new kinship ties.
Women would be married off to where parents and elders would see fit to procreate and be submissive to the man while he provided and loved his one or many wives.
However, roles are now mixed up, women are providing for their families single-handedly and taking pride in it, men are playing their part when it comes to procreating but ghosting their children.
If they choose to stay, they expect the wife to fend for the family.
As a result, the toxic mentality that a learned woman cannot cohabit with a man and still be submissive is passed on hence opting to get a child or two and raise them independently without a man in their life.
It does not cut one way, men, too. They have a term for themselves, senior bachelors, these are men who hit 40 with no wife and no plan, just a bunch of baby mamas and money to throw around with younger women.
Does it come down to poor guidance and bad role models or is it a personal choice to be untrusting and insecure?
It can be either. Most people are not ready for the bad times, they either hop on too early or with the thought that it will be all roses.
It would be important for the older generation to encourage the younger ones to keep at it with zeal while trying to keep the institution fun and effective.
Murders in marriages from infidelity and financial disagreements discourage the youth from getting into marriage not putting in mind that not all are cut from the same cloth.
Most marriages are ending after a couple of years because of poor courtship, rush and poor or no guidance at all.
Before settling down with someone, take time to know them well.
This way, one will not be surprised and want to exit the institution once they see a different side of their partner.
Love is the foundation of marriage, not money and not beauty and youths need to be reminded about this.
Raising children single-handedly because of a broken marriage is not fashionable and not fair to the children.
We should seek guidance from those who have had successful marriages, erase the mentality that marriage cannot work.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
