Marriage is a thing of the past. Do you agree? Work in pairs. Explain why or why not. Sue Carey disagrees with her university professor (1) More and more people are living together and having children without getting married, she told us. The number of divorces is increasing all the time. It doesn't matter if you are single or married, she said with a smile of victory. 'The prison of marriage belongs to an older generation!' (2) But now, twenty years later - is marriage dead? You do not need to think about it for long: go to any newsagent and look at the magazines on sale. On the cover of every popular magazine like Hello! someone is getting married. Or maybe someone is getting divorced. The stories sell the magazines and in thousands of offices around the world, people are sitting around and looking at the wedding photos of the rich and famous. (3) In the UK, people are waiting until they are older to get married, but the number of weddings is actually increasing. True, divorces are also going up, but people are getting married again, for a second, third or fourth time. (4) In the year after university, I went to the weddings of four of my friends. My own (first) marriage was two years later. We want to read about marriage, look at films and photos, and do it ourselves. It appears that we can't get enough of it. Sorry professor, but the conclusion seems clear: marriage is very much alive and well.

In the debate about whether marriage is a relic of the past, Sue Carey's reflections provide a compelling case for its relevance in contemporary society. Here are the main points that could be used to argue for the continued importance of marriage: 1. **Changing Dynamics of Marriage**: While it's true that more people are cohabiting or having children out of wedlock, marriage continues to have a significant presence in society. The declining age of marriage indicates that people are taking their time, but it doesn't mean they're rejecting the institution altogether. Instead, they may be redefining what marriage means to them. 2. **Cultural Significance**: The media continues to glorify weddings and romantic partnerships. Magazines and films frequently portray weddings as a pinnacle of personal achievement, emphasizing the emotional significance and communal celebrations that often accompany marriage. This cultural allure persists and influences people's attitudes towards marriage. 3. **Resilience of Marriage**: Despite rising divorce rates, many individuals still choose to remarry, demonstrating an enduring belief in the institution. The fact that people are willing to enter into marriage multiple times suggests that they continue to value the concept and hope for more successful relationships in the future. 4. **Community and Legal Benefits**: Marriage provides legal rights and social support systems that cohabiting couples may not have access to. This includes tax benefits, inheritance rights, and next-of-kin privileges, which can be significant considerations for many couples. 5. **Personal Fulfillment**: Many individuals still associate marriage with personal fulfillment and life goals. Attending friends' weddings, as Sue notes, can evoke joyful experiences, reinforcing a social structure based on love and commitment that many find appealing. In conclusion, while the dynamics of marriage have evolved, the institution itself remains alive and relevant. It adapts to societal changes and the desires of individuals, fostering a sense of community, commitment, and personal fulfillment that many still seek. Therefore, marriage as an idea and a practice is anything but dead; it continues to evolve with the times, reflecting the ongoing human fascination with love and partnership.