Review article
Contemporary aspects of marriage and parenthood
Dubravka Hrabar
; Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Marriage is a socially important relationship, which has been governed by law for many centuries, thereby enabling it to have survived as the foundation of the family. Generally speaking, the function of marriage has always been the birth of offspring and the survival of society. In recent times, there have been movements and ideologies that deny the exclusively heterosexual nature of marriage but instead characterize it as a legal institution that is also intended for same-sex couples. The modern era boasts many new types of relationships, such as secularization, individualization, postmodernization, individualization, relativization, computerization etc. Neoliberal trends have overextended the concept of human rights and freedoms, prioritizing individual desires at the expense of the community, thereby creating a ”brave new world” in which marriage, parenthood and the family are jeopardized. The fundamental human values and ethical postulates are being undermined by both internal and external factors.
The concept of marriage has been distorted to such an extent that the foundations for the wholesome upbringing of children in a family consisting of a mother and father are being destroyed by multifaceted challenges. The devastating consequences of broken marriages and same-sex marriages affect children, who, according to the psychology of early development, base their future conduct upon their childhood experiences. Moreover, dehumanization and deconstruction are achieved through the imposition of new patterns of behavior, glorifying liberalism based on unlimited freedom as the only correct model. In the name of such freedom, human nature, marriage, parenthood and family are being eroded while a far inferior model is being offered. Nevertheless, it is the traditional family that maintains and improves social relations, while fostering the prosperity of society and human civilization.
Keywords
marriage; children; society; family; parenthood
Hrčak ID:
319280
URI
Publication date:
16.7.2024.
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