How Married Are You?

If the 20th century ushered in the age of romantic marriage, one based on expectations of love and intimacy as opposed to obligation, the 21st century is all about the postromantic marriage — one based on obligation, partnership and, yes, convenience. So argues Pamela Haag in her new book Marriage Confidential, which defines five new kinds of marriage

The Parenting Marriage

Marriage Confidential: Why More Couples Are

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On the one hand, children are less central to marriage than they were before. Single parenthood by choice is on the rise, as are deliberately child-free marriages. On the other hand, for many people, children are perhaps the one remaining imperative to get, and stay, married: parenting is one thing they don't think they can do just as easily on their own. So, when couples do opt to have children, they can become almost entirely defined and consumed by the tasks of parenthood. This is something new for marriage because in the past the roles of husband and wife involved more than just child rearing.