d up in divorce. They should realize, though, that the commitment to marriage cannot be substituted. American society is becoming increasingly individualistic and selfish, so that people are less willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be a part of a family. A new ethic and morality have developed where people behave in fewer traditional ways. The notion that sex ought to be reserved only for marriages now seems antiquated. Some have called it the "defining of deviancy down" so that what was once considered deviant or abnormal now is treated as the norm. Rather than cohabitation being scandalous, as it was only several decades ago, it is now virginity that makes the news. This is a sad commentary on our society. We must keep in mind, however, that marriages formed after cohabitation are rated as less stable and result in more divorces than marriages not preceded by living together. Among current concerns tied in part to sexual behavior are the familial problems of marital harmony and divorce; criminal problems of incest, child molestation, and prostitution; reproductive problems of infertility, sterility, unwanted and mistimed pregnancies, and abortion; and health problems related to sexually transmitted diseases. The institution of marriage is no longer valued as highly. Our culture has become increasingly skeptical of marriage and other institutions that are thought to restrict or confine adult behavior. In their place, a much higher value is put on individualism, choice and unrestricted personal liberty. Marriage is also losing its social purpose. Instead of serving as our primary institutional expression of commitment and obligation to others (especially children), it has been reduced to a vehicle for the emotional fulfillment of adult partners. "Till death us do part" has been replaced by "as long as I am happy". Reports have shown that the divorce rate is lower for couples who hav...
