Is Marriage Still the Goal? A Look at Modern Black Relationships
As modern Black love continues to evolve beyond traditional expectations, many are redefining relationship success by prioritizing authenticity, emotional well-being, and personal fulfillment over marriage as a required milestone. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Anchly via iStockPhoto.com
By: Jamila Gomez
Throughout generations, people have viewed marriage as the ultimate indicator of relationship success which serves as a symbol of stability alongside love and legacy. Marriage was viewed as a way to establish solid families that in turn would create better communities among Black people. The modern world presents different priorities and expectations along with altered realities which cause people to wonder about marriage goals.
Research shows that Black marriage statistics show a decreasing trend during the past several decades. Many African Americans currently delay marriage or choose not to marry at all. The reasons behind this trend exist as complex factors which include economic differences alongside changes in gender roles and free will decisions.
The question “When are you going to settle down and get married?” was commonly heard during our childhood as if marriage served as the ultimate life milestone. Many modern Black singles across millennial and Gen Z generations view marriage as an available choice instead of a requirement to achieve happiness and fulfillment in partnership.
People have started this change by observing past generations. Many people observed marriages which seemed perfect in public records but lacked genuine happiness in private spaces. We watched as people stayed trapped in toxic relationships because traditional views of Black love demanded marriage no matter the cost to individual well-being.
The modern Black community now embraces love without requiring marriage to validate its worth. The number of couples who select long-term relationships without marriage commitments keeps growing. Many couples decide to establish financial security and achieve their professional targets as well as care for their mental health and raise children before getting married or choose alternative paths.
The discussion must include the obstacles that stand in the way. Economic inequality directly affects the development of Black relationships. Systemic racism combined with mass incarceration along with the wealth gap have influenced how people marry and when they choose to do so.
Even though marriage still exists it is not necessary for everyone. Black couples continue to exchange vows and establish strong relationships which combine their love with faith and their connection to the community. Modern society has introduced a new perspective because people now recognize various methods to measure love success beyond marriage.
The decision to make marriage a life goal depends entirely on the individual person. Some couples dedicate themselves to creating business empires together. Some people desire freedom and peaceful companionship alongside the absence of legal documentation. The life choices people make are equally valid.
The Black love experience continues to transform as it manifests through various forms of partnership including marriage as well as singleness and committed relationships and situationships and self-love. Maybe the new objective should be discovering what truly brings you satisfaction and authenticity and sustainability.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Embracing Self Love and Learning to Love Your Body
For generations, women have been told that appearance is very important and to be conscious of how they present themselves. Learn to embrace self love and love your body!
By: Alyssa Cole
The modern day woman takes on many tasks. For generations, women have been told that appearance is very important and to be conscious of how we present ourselves. But what about embracing what we were born with? How often do we see in the media to love the skin you're in without enhancing a part of us? Self love and loving your body is extremely important for women today!
SEE ALSO: How to Balance Your Art and Business as a Creative Entrepreneur
If you watch television, you constantly see advertisements and commercials for beauty enhancements, how to lose weight fast, to get a certain "Look" that you are searching for. Isn't it interesting how often we see things to alter our views on the natural being of our bodies? These ads can subconsciously make us think that something in-fact is lacking within us and without self esteem, can have a big impact on us.
SEE ALSO: Dealing With Social Anxiety and Micro Aggressions While Black
The Woman in this present time, is constantly told to act a certain way and do, but we see more and more everyday people taking their desired looks and finding shortcuts to achieve which sometimes is good but sometimes also are bad. Women have been doing illegal procedures which have sometimes ended deadly or ended up with damaging effects, some women getting addicted to enhancements, and even people become depressed when looks haven't been achieved.
SEE ALSO: 10 Habits of Highly Productive People: How to Achieve More in Less Time
I think it's important to remember in this day and age that you have to love the skin you're in. If you want to fix your look, be sure to achieve these desires in healthy and legal ways, and to really ask yourself why you want to change a certain thing about you. Always remember to make decisions on how you look and act solely based on YOU!! I challenge you today to look at things that you want to change about yourself physical, if anything, and ask yourself why? Is it health related? Is it really necessary? What steps will I need to take? Will I be just fine without any changes? From there, do what's best for you but just remember to LOVE YOURSELF!
Self-love is so important especially in a time and era such as the one we live in. Never forget about self-love and self-care!
THIS ARTICLE IS RELATED TO: embracing your body, self love, self care, beautiful black women images, self love affirmations
