A political and Christian thing
This article delves into the varied viewpoints on marriage in Germany, from traditional values to modern challenges. Exploring the changing dynamics and societal attitudes, we navigate through the complexities surrounding this enduring institution. Join us as Leslie Wiedmann explains the evolving landscape of marriage and relationships in contemporary German society.
Marriage in Germany - I have asked many people about it and many have given me a different opinion. Many critical opinions lead to the same conclusion, while others still see the "beauty” in a marriage.
"I think I would not get married nowadays,” that is what my grandma used to say. 50 years ago, marriage was an integral part of society. For the most part, it was a promise to the husband to be a good wife and to obey. It was bad if a woman was pregnant without being married or did not have a man by her side in her late 20s. Today, things have changed a lot. Women are more independent and earn their own money to live their own lives.
Germany was also a very Christian country. The Church understands marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman. This also changed over the years. The religious mindset has changed for many, and the wedding ceremony can be easily separated from the church. Nevertheless, for many, the church has great value in getting married.
However, there are issues for a marriage nowadays: Too expensive, too elaborate, and the promise to stay together forever is no longer taken seriously by many.
This adds to the "throwaway society" that some people talk about these days. This applies not only to getting married but also to having children, starting a new relationship, or moving in together. People do it to enforce a certain level of security or to save damage to a relationship. The other side, on the other hand, is more cautious and waits for the financial opportunity and the complete certainty that the relationship will work. They are aware that marriage cannot seal the cohabitation of two people forever. It is more of a beautiful ceremony with friends and family that celebrates the relationship. Gen Z in particular has recognized this, and those I have asked agree that they would rather wait than rush into marrying the next best person. As a result, the average age of marriage has risen by over three years in the last 20 years. At the same time, the number of divorces has fallen, which is due to women's rights of choice and the fact that they can make their own decisions and are independent.
In addition, then there is another aspect of why people are getting married in Germany. "Save money!" That was the first thing my sister said. Furthermore, she is right! A married couple pays less tax than single or unmarried couples. As there are different tax brackets in Germany, the married couple slips into a "better" tax bracket in which the percentage of paying tax is lower. Quite unfair, because marriage falls under the political aspect and does not stand for equal rights, regardless of the relationship status. Politics have played and continue to play a major role in marriage.
As you can see, the necessity of marriage in Germany is very divided. However, many people no longer take marriage as a basic principle of life or glorify it. It has become more of a "Maybe, maybe not. As it turns out." Moreover, since many people no longer belong to church community, the connection between church and marriage is no longer too narrow-minded. However, a milestone has been reached, particularly from a religious perspective, as marriage has been possible for everyone since 2017. The step towards equal rights in the church has thus been achieved.