So while I am supposed to be at work attempting to locate an author who has not yet cashed his royalty check, I came across this article on the George Mason University’s homepage. The article regarding marriage summarizes a study conducted by Mason sociologist Shannon Davis. The results of this study show that while a couple may have an egalitarian view on gender (the couple views each other as equals) before marriage, once couples enter into marriage, many of them tend to fall into traditional gender roles because of this dominating, all mighty, greatest thing since sliced bread institution.

This study focused specifically on roles such as housework, but it is interesting to see how much of an effect the idea of marriage can have on a couple. Think about it, marriage isn’t visible, audible or tangible so why does it change us…many of us? Could this be why many couples are choosing not to marry? (If I were stuck doing most of the housework I might stay away from the aisle…only kidding).

I know that it goes beyond housework, but this study is poking at the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to marriage, no matter how liberal we may think we are, there is some sort of power that this word (I did mention that you can’t see, touch or hear it right?) has over us. Are we so afraid to break out of tradition that we would rather succumb to the outdated roles that marriage supposedly has?

Bring it on marriage, you invisible… (you can’t even call it a thing). You think you have power over me, but I know better. My parents taught me how to share, and I will be more than happy to share any housework, dinner preparation, television remote and gardening.