The Future Of Marriage And What You Can Do About It

Marriage — this ancient institution touches nearly every life, a ritual ingrained in human history. Yet, in today’s world, it leaves many questioning its relevance. Both men and women find themselves navigating a complex web of tradition, evolution, and modern expectations. This article delves into the origins of marriage, unpacks its purpose, and examines its shifting dynamics, offering a fresh perspective to help you decide if this age-old commitment aligns with your vision for life.

Marriage began with a singular purpose: a union rooted in togetherness, unshakable commitment, and the shared goal of building a family. In early societies, survival was a collaborative effort. Men, equipped with greater physical strength, took on labor-intensive roles as providers, working the fields or hunting to sustain the household. Women, in turn, embraced roles that required finesse and creativity — sewing, crafting, and nurturing the aesthetic and emotional foundation of the home.

This partnership wasn’t just practical; it was mutually beneficial. Men provided the resources, and women brought them to life — turning them into beauty, comfort, and inspiration. Together, they created a cycle of mutual support, strengthening the family and ensuring its success.

Then came industrialization. Machines began to shoulder the burdens of physical labor, altering the roles men had long filled. While men adapted to factory work, women’s gentler contributions remained unchanged.

The 21st century, however, brought a revolution unlike any before. With the rise of technology, the workplace shifted from physical strength to mental acuity — a domain where men and women stood as equals. For the first time in history, women could step into roles once reserved for men, proving their equal capacity to contribute financially.

Fast forward to today: women are not only competing on equal footing with men but excelling, earning more degrees and seizing opportunities once unavailable to them. Yet, while society has changed rapidly over the past 30–40 years, the concept of marriage has struggled to keep pace. The once-clear division of responsibilities — the man as the provider and the woman as the homemaker — has been disrupted. Women have stepped confidently into the provider role, while men grapple with redefining their place.

Some men embrace this shift, welcoming the shared responsibilities of modern partnerships. Others, however, feel stripped of a deep-seated desire to provide, leaving them questioning the relevance of marriage. Some of them are learning to navigate roles traditionally occupied by women, from emotional caretaking to curating the home. This dual adaptation, while progressive, introduces new challenges.

At first, the balance seems attainable, especially for young, ambitious couples eager to build a shared future. Both partners take on the tasks of providing and managing the home, pushing forward with energy and determination. Yet, as the years roll on, the weight of these responsibilities start becoming overwhelming. The relentless focus on careers and financial stability starts to drain the relationship. Love, intimacy, trust, and emotional connection — the very threads that bind two people — start to fade under the strain. Life becomes an endless cycle of earning for a future that never arrives, leaving little room for joy or meaning.

As burnout sets in, couples attempt to restore harmony by falling back into traditional gender roles, hoping to ease the strain. For some, this adjustment brings relief; for others, it only delays the inevitable collapse. When the marriage unravels, divorce emerges as the final recourse — a process that is emotionally taxing for both parties but particularly punishing for men. Seeing several men financially drained and, in many cases, separated from their children due to outdated marital laws, men are left questioning the very foundation of marriage.

Stripped of their traditional roles, faced with the risk of burnout, and navigating a system that frequently casts them as the scapegoats for marital breakdowns, many men are opting out entirely. Some resign themselves to a life without marriage, while others choose long-term cohabitation to maintain love while avoiding the pitfalls of a legally binding union. In contrast, a significant number of women still carry a deep, instinctual desire to walk down the aisle and secure the promise of lifelong commitment.

This growing divide between men’s apprehension and women’s aspirations highlights a deep struggle at the heart of modern relationships — one that raises urgent questions about the very purpose and future of marriage. What was once a union that liberated and completed the incomplete partners has, for many, become a confining arrangement. Two seemingly self-sufficient individuals now come together with unclear goals, entangled by societal expectations that bind them more than they free them.

What starts as a love story built on shared freedom can quickly turn into resentment when that freedom feels lost. Like birds who fell in love while soaring through the open sky, partners end up feeling trapped in a beautiful cage — decorated with their shared financial success but missing the joy and energy that once brought them together. No matter how golden or ornate, a cage is still a cage. For both men and women, the real question isn’t what the other can fulfill on a checklist, but how they can set each other free. True connection comes not from imposing limits but from creating a space where both can thrive in their individuality while growing together.

What can you do about it?

For men tired of endless swiping on dating apps with little to show for it, it’s time to step away from the screen and shine in the real world. The qualities that truly matter in a relationship — your confidence, success, decisiveness and ability to provide experiences — are impossible to be encapsulated in a profile. Giving up on the idea of togetherness means missing out on the potential of having a supportive, meaningful partnership. Step out and you’ll wonder why you ever wasted time on apps when meeting people in real life is far easier — and far more rewarding.

For women navigating the dating world, it’s vital to seek a partner who embodies the qualities of a provider, even if you’re flourishing in your career. This allows you the flexibility to explore other roles — pursuing your passions, furthering your education, or embracing homemaking — should burnout arise, bringing balance and stability during overwhelming times. Unfortunately, many women overlook such men, drawn instead to the convenience of dating apps. The very qualities they desire — honesty, loyalty, and being a priority — are often absent on these platforms and cannot be deciphered from a profile. With a heavily skewed gender dynamic, most men on apps operate from scarcity, creating profiles rooted in dishonesty and aiming for short-term gratification. How can you expect honesty from a foundation built on pretense?

Many women exhaust themselves trying to change such men, only to realize their efforts are in vain — or worse, conclude that men aren’t serious, not recognizing they’ve limited themselves to those who never intended to be. Some women even follow the path many men take, giving up on love altogether, despite it being the deepest longing of their hearts. Dating apps offer little in the way of success for such pursuits. True connection lies beyond the screen, in the authenticity of real-world interactions.

For women cohabiting and hoping to marry someday, open conversations about a man’s reservations toward marriage are vital. Discussing his concerns and finding ways to navigate them together can pave the way for a stronger, more lasting commitment.

For those already married and feeling drained or contemplating divorce, it’s time to refocus on what truly matters. Rekindle the love, nurture emotional intimacy, and reignite a sense of purpose that extends beyond the relentless pursuit of financial success.

And lastly, for the vast majority, those who have lost trust in love, remember that it is one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding peaks, waiting to be reached. You may be tempted to fill the void with money, prestige, or status, but once you attain them, love will continue to remain the deepest longing of your heart.

“The moment love touches you, it fills your life with light. When love comes, you feel there’s some meaning back in life. The boat of life gets a direction. A meaning to reach somewhere in life. Without love, life is like a guitar with broken strings. Like a flute with no music. A tree without flowers, flowers that declined to bloom. Without love, life’s cup is empty. With love it becomes full. Love fills life, gives meaning to live” — Nash Reid.

My book, From Solo to Soulmate: A Step-by-Step Guide to Attracting and Keeping the Right Partner, explores the journey to finding and sustaining love in today’s world. Available on Amazon, it cuts through the noise of modern dating advice to reveal one powerful truth: you’re already enough.

In a world where women are told to mask their true desires, and men are encouraged to act tough and manipulate, it’s no wonder so many relationships feel hollow and fleeting. Every dating advice wants you to become something that you are not. This tension between what you “should be” and what you “are” is the cause of anxiety for many. These approaches lead only to shallow connections with insincere people, leaving you burned out and disillusioned.

“Just as the sun shines regardless of whether you embrace it, love exists in abundance and presents countless opportunities every day. However, if you’re blinded by societal distractions, love will remain out of reach” — Page 12, From Solo To Soulmate.

In the natural world, no animal or plant rejects its true form or follow rules to find a mate. So why should you? From Solo to Soulmate shatters the fake dating advice you’ve been fed and shows you how to find genuine, lasting love — just by being yourself. Designed for both men and women, whether single or married, it will empower you to attract and keep the right partner, avoid common missteps at any stage of your relationship, and create a life rich in love, purpose, and genuine connection.

Find your copy here: From Solo to Soulmate: A Step-by-Step Guide to Attracting and Keeping the Right Partner

Feeling lost in life, love, or purpose? Follow me on Instagram @nashreidofficial for unique, powerful quotes that will ignite a fresh perspective and breathe new life into your journey.

The Future of Marriage and What You Can Do About It was originally published in Hello, Love on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.