Maybe wedding vows should be changed for modern issues
Oct 19, 2012, 9:35 AM | Updated: Oct 20, 2012, 12:17 pm
Most people are willing to agree to cherishing and honoring their partner as they make their vows to one another on their wedding day, but what if the officiant said, "Repeat after me. I promise to be faithful including no flirtatious following or friending?" (MyNorthwest.com/file)
(MyNorthwest.com/file)
Most people are willing to agree to cherish and honor one another in their wedding vows, but what if the officiant said, “Repeat after me. I promise to be faithful, including no flirtatious following or friending?”
A recent survey conducted by an Australian life insurance company asked 1,200 people to select which vows they felt were most relevant in this day and age. The list of options included traditional vows, including promises to stay true in sickness in health, for better or for worse, but it also included new vows like a promise to share child rearing equally, or a promise to be faithful online.
KIRO Radio’s Terry Jaymes Show thinks incorporating vows for situations that may not have been at issue before kind of makes sense now.
“Online stuff can get you in a lot of trouble,” says host Terry Jaymes. “I have no problem with that.”
Terry says while it’s only natural to want to look up what an old ex is up to on Facebook, you could be crossing a line to make contact.
“I don’t want my wife going and flirting with a bunch of people online.”
The survey results showed 72 percent of women and 62 percent of men agreed with including promises of online faithfulness in modern-day vows.
Another vow suggested in the survey, that Terry agrees with but he’s already broken, is a commitment to maintain one’s appearance for the duration of the marriage.
“My wife has worked out every day of her life. She looks better than she ever did. She really, truly does. I have let myself go and I [would] have broken that vow if it was in there,” says Terry.
Co-host Jason says if you want the romantic attraction to continue for years and years, a commitment like this doesn’t seem out of line.
“Let’s not pretend that people can’t fall out of lust with one another,” says Jason. “You could be married 20, 30 years and have a bond so deep that it hurts, but you may not be as sexually attracted to the person at that point.”
While he doesn’t disagree with considering more modern vows, Terry says people owe all kinds of commitments to their spouse, and those often go beyond the things officially stated on your wedding day.
“You know the basic rules when you’re married,” says Terry. “You’ve got to be there for each other in every category, as far as I’m concerned.”
The Terry Jaymes Show can be heard on KIRO Radio on Saturdays at noon and Sundays at 6 p.m. Available anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com.
