By Serena Gomez |Staff Writer|

The institution of marriage is filled with fewer fairy tales and more economic security.

First you fall in love, then comes marriage and children.

Today, however, it seems like divorce is becoming one of the traditional parts of life as well.

“About 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce,” according to the American Psychological Associations.

In the past, it’s been said that girls imagine their huge Cinderella wedding with the perfect dress, location and most importantly, Prince Charming (in some cases another Cinderella)—dreaming that one day they will have the perfect life with the most romantic significant other.

It was known as “the best day of your life” and it is often said that, “you only get married once,” which may not always be the case.

The U.S. Census Bureau‘s latest surveys show, “17 percent of Americans said, ‘I do’ two or more times.”

In my opinion, over the centuries there has been a shift in priorities toward more of a money hungry and conceited lifestyle.

There are some couples that join together in marriage for legal matters such as: deportation, tax benefits or even just to split rent.

“While marriage is in decline, unmarried cohabitation is on the rise. Fifteen times the number of couples today live together outside of marriage than in 1960. Almost half of cohabiting households include children,” wrote Aja Gabel in UVA magazine.

Just in a matter of weeks I heard of people getting married because it was just “time,” for tax purposes or insurance benefits.

Some people get married because they feel safe, secure and comfortable in their relationships.

There are others who don’t want to “rock the boat,” by trying to start all over with someone else.

Then there are those who are interested with the idea of being in a relationship and having that other person there for them at all times.

Sometimes they are just focused on having someone rather than having the right person for them.

People jump so quickly into a relationship, they don’t think about how the two will workout out or if they are the right fit.

It can be a bit difficult picking that person you want to spend the rest of your life with because you don’t know the future, and feelings and people can change, so divorce may be the right choice in certain situations.

Why be in a marriage if you aren’t happy? It is meant to be a positive union but there are a lot of people that see marriage as a negative thing.

Marriage is meant to be a commitment between two people that promise to be there for each other through thick and thin.

Today, more people are running from their marital problems, or even worse, not wholeheartedly committing to the love of their life.

Having extramarital affairs is scandalous and repulsive but our society instigates it by people actively showing off more than they need to on social media. People, even worse, come up with dreadful nicknames such as side boo/main boo.

Chivalry is dying and not helping the romantic air flow either. What happened to falling in love with your spouse all over again every morning?

Spend more time looking for that person who gives you butterflies rather than just picking a “Netflix and chill” partner.

Think about who you are marrying and why, rather than just being spontaneous.

Let’s make the fairy tales as close to reality as we can, “’till death do us part” by having a “happily ever after” ending.