Culture
Nov 28th, 2025

Opinion: Marriage Is Not for the Sensible

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Canary and his wife Sasha are one of the celebrity couples going through marriage turmoil

By Ayella 

It is often said—sometimes jokingly—that marriage is not for sensible people. Yet behind the humor lies a deeper truth about human nature. The human brain is fundamentally wired for survival, not for love. When the two conflict, self-preservation almost always prevails. 
Love, like all emotions, is a survival mechanism. Positive emotions enhance our chances of thriving, while negative ones signal danger or diminish our likelihood of success. But emotions are inherently temporary. They shift with circumstances, which is why friendships fade, romantic relationships break down, and even marriages—traditionally seen as lifelong commitments—can end abruptly.

To marry someone is, in many ways, an attempt to legislate emotions. Yet emotions are biological, and marriage is a legal construct. The challenge arises when we expect a legal document to guarantee the permanence of a feeling that is by nature impermanent. This mismatch lies at the heart of many marital failures.

Biologically, human beings—like all other species—are engineered to reproduce, not to marry. Cohabitation is natural; legal entanglement is not. It is easy to get married, but living harmoniously with another person is the truly difficult part. If two people can coexist peacefully, support each other, and share a life, then the relationship has already achieved its purpose—marriage certificate or not. 
And when the relationship no longer works, parting ways without legal complications may be the most sensible path. After all, emotional bonds evolve, and when boredom, incompatibility, or change sets in, the freedom to separate without legal drama can be a healthier option for both parties.

Perhaps the real question society must confront is this: should we continue to hold marriage as the ultimate proof of commitment, or should we begin to value the quality of the relationship itself—free from legal constraints and unrealistic expectations of emotional permanence?

Torch Media Africa

Published By | DICKENS TIHARIHONDIJO

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