THREE IMPORTANT PUBLIC PURPOSES
SERVED BY MARRIAGE overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit
1. Societies seek to ORGANIZE THE
BEARING AND REARING OF
CHILDREN through marriage as an
institution. Ensures that children
have the love and support of their
father and mother.
2. Marriage PROVIDES DIRECTION,
ORDER, AND STABILITY TO ADULT
SEXUAL UNIONS and to their
economic, social, and biological
consequences.
3. Marriage CIVILIZES MEN AND
WOMEN, furnishing them with a
SENSE OF PURPOSE, NORMS, AND
SOCIAL STATUS that orient their
lives away from vice and toward
virtue.
INTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE
NATURAL MUTUAL SELF-GIVING: fidelity ,
acceptance : Permanence
/Exclusivity
ELEVATES, ORDERS, CONSTRAINS
NATURAL DESIRES ----fidelity and care.
PERFECTS SEXUAL NATURE : Procreative
and Unitive Meaning of sexual drive (
Unique Biological Unity)
NATURAL DEFENSE AGAINST
COMMODIFICATION and TRIVIALIZATION
OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ( Till death....)
The Church teaches that marriage "helps to
of one's own pleasure, and to open oneself
to the other, to mutual aid and to self-
giving
( Catechism of the Catholic Church #1609).
EXTRINSIC GOODS OF MARRIAGE
( Utilitarian Goods )
I. RELATIONAL GOOD
A. Personal union, intended for the whole
of life, of husband and wife. ( good of
spouse )
Mutual dependence and
Obligation :
STRENGTHENED by
PERMANENCE
Biological, Psychological,
Emotional, Social and Sexual
complementarity of the male and
female sexes. ( shared
maturity) ))
B. Ordinarily, both men and women who
marry are better off as a result.
Marriage as a COUNTER
CULTURAL INSTITUTION : A
SELF ( LESS ) ACT
- An opposition to a self-centered
society popular
culture : ME , `If it feels good,
do it!' DO WHAT PLEASES
THEM AT THE MOMENT
WITHOUT A THOUGHT TO THE
BROADER LONG-TERM
CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR
ACTIONS.

Marriage has significant
benefits for the well-being
of adult men and women
who enter into it.
- emotional: security, shared
responsibility, protection,
stability, support
- psychological : discipline,
commitment, long- term
outlook, fidelity, lowers
testosterone levels
( moral too )
- social : paternity, suppport
- economic: financially, responsible
expense ( savings )
- physical : health is shared
responsibility, women less
victimized
- moral: avoidance of risky behaviours,
more civilized,
industry,
Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Men
Researchers have found many benefits for
men who are in healthy marriages,
compared to unhealthy marriages, including
the following statistics:
Longer lives
Physically healthier
Wealthier
Increase in the stability of employment
Higher wages
Emotionally healthier
Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
Have better relationships with their
children
More satisfying sexual relationship
Less likely to commit violent crimes
Less likely to contract STD's
Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Women
More satisfying relationship
Emotionally healthier
Wealthier
Less likely to be victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault, or other violent
crimes
Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
Less likely to contract STD's
Less likely to remain or end up in poverty
Have better relationships with their children
Physically healthier
Vatican Council II affirms that the intimate
partnership of married life and love is not
only ordered towards the goods of
offspring and society, but also for the good
of the spouses. (Gaudium et Spes #48)
John Paul II speaks of the capacity for
marriage to cure the negative effects of sin
with the help of God's grace in the
sacraments, and through prayer and
forgiveness in the family. (Letter to
Families #14)
II. PROCREATIONAL GOOD
Satisfies childrens need to know
their
biological origins : FATHER and
MOTHER
- a framework of love for nurturance,
education and development
- seedbed of sociability and virtue
Protects and nurtures mental ,
psychological,
 sexual, moral, emotional and social
health
of children
Sexuality differences are crucial in
Parenting
- FEMALE HORMONE : Peptide
Oxytocin
- MALE HORMONE : Testosterone
The Church recognizes the goodness of unity
and difference in existence. Just as the
persons of the Trinity are different, yet have
all that the other has, so also do men and
women in marriage become fully one, but
with different resources and ways of
relating.
(John Paul II, Letter to Families #8 &
Mulieris Dignitatem #10)
Speaking about the equal dignity of men
and women, the U.S. Bishops address
gender difference. They talk about
particular physical and psychological gender
traits that result in varying skills and
perspectives. As noted above, men and
women mutually benefit from marriage, but
they receive these benefits in different ways.
(USCCB, Follow the Way of Love, 1993, p.19)
III. SOCIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL GOOD
A. Marriage is a wealth-creating
institution, increasing human and social
capital.
1. network of relationships: a key
ingredient of the social capital
(generosity, self-sacrifice, trust, self-
discipline)
- crucial in every domain of social life.
2. economy and state depend upon families
to produce the next generation of
productive workers and taxpayers.
3. ordered and regulated sexual
relationships benefits human society
B. Marriage sustains civil society and
promotes the common good.
1. renewal of human capital : national
economy needs human capital at
replacement level
2. young stable patterns of work and self-
reliance, directed by parents , provides
basis for developing useful skills /gaining a
profession.
3. Marriage/ family assist in caring for
the sick and elderly and provide
unremunerated care for their loved
ones, paying taxes, and produce
children forming future generations
of tax-paying workers.
4. Marital breakdown reduces the collective
welfare of our children, strains our justice
system, weakens civil society : Public
expenditures on criminal justice, police,
courts, and prisons
Crime is driven in part by the breakdown of
marriage.
5. When marriage weakens, the equality
gap widens, as children suffer from the
disadvantages of growing up in homes
without committed mothers and fathers.
6. A functioning marriage culture serves to
protect political liberty and foster limited
government intrusion.
7. Religion plays a vital role in creating and
sustaining marriage as a social institution. (
limits state intrusion )

MARRIAGE BENEFITS ON CHILDREN

( Statistics)
More likely to attend college
More likely to succeed academically
Physically healthier
Emotionally healthier
Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors
Less likely to be a victim of physical or
sexual abuse
Be open and honest with the couples you
help
Seek wisdom and understanding from God
Have a better relationship with their
mothers and fathers
Decreases their chances of divorcing when
they get married
Less likely to become pregnant as a
teenager, or impregnate someone
Less likely to be sexually active as
teenagers
Less likely to contract STD's
Less likely to be raised in poverty