Is it Sports, the Weather or Love of God that Keeps Us Married by William R. Mattox - Article Example

Is it Sports, the Weather or Love of God that keeps us Married? America is a country in which the divorce rates are comparatively higher than that from other parts of the world. There are many reasons cited for the increasing divorce rates in America. Some people argue that sports have the ability to reduce divorce rate whereas some others are of the view that weather conditions can make or break a marital relationship. In my opinion, the love of God keeps the marital relationship intact rather than anything else.

According to the arguments of Mattox, sports and climatic conditions can affect the divorce rate in a region or country. He has pointed out that “average divorce rate in cities that have a major league baseball team is 28% lower than in cities that lack a major league franchise” (Mattox, p.166). It is a fact that baseball is the most popular sports activity in United States and it has the power to keep the couples who are the fans of baseball, united always. Lack of engagement is the major reason for the development of conflicts in the life of couples.

Baseball keeps the people interested in talking more about the matches they witnessed. Since the couples spend majority of their leisure times for watching matches and also to discuss the results and performances of players, they will get less chances to discuss conflicting matters among them. In other words, fewer chances to get engaged in hot arguments may help the couples to stay united. Another reason cited by Mattox for increasing divorce rate in America is the climatic conditions. People staying in the hot regions are facing less divorce problems than the people staying in the colder regions.

In other words, during summer, the divorce rate may become less and during winter, it may become more. The reason for the above argument is also with respect to the relation between engagements and divorce. During summer seasons, couples normally go out for swimming and other water activities. This will strengthen their emotional bondage. On the other hand, during winter, couples may not get enough chances to go out and as a result of that, they may start talking too much about the differences among them at their home.

These discussions often end up in intense fighting and divorce. In my opinion, neither the climatic condition nor the sports activities may have any effect on a marital relationship which is solemnised by the love of God. Marriage is a covenant signed by the couples in the presence of God. In other words, God has united the couples rather than the human love or other environmental or biological factors. Couples who do believe in God may never try to get divorced even if severe problems or conflicts occur among them.

They will solve the conflicts and problems under the grace of God instead of going for a divorce. To conclude, social factors and emotional factors can definitely create problems in a marital relationship. However, the ultimate energy which keeps a marriage going is none other than God’s love. Works Cited Mattox William R. Is it Sports, the Weather or Love of God that keeps us Married?