Not only marriage dreamers but also real spouses no longer consider guest marriage something exceptional.
Gwyneth Paltrow admitted that she spends only part of the week with her husband Brad Falchuk, and then he returns to his house. All her married friends say that her schedule is perfect, so they do not want to change anything. Paltrow thinks this is very “practical and sweet,” since it creates a “polarity in marriage” and ignites passion.
Donald Trump, apparently, sticks to the same opinion, since he himself lives on the second floor of the White House, whereas Melania lives on the third. They sometimes fail to see each other for several days.
Imagine dating your husband only on the weekend. This way you can cook less, you can clash over trifles less often. You work on weekdays. But from Friday to Sunday evening, there is romance: cafes, movies, walks, candles, and beautiful underwear.
The French seem to understand the essence of love! According to the National Institute for Demographic Research, 1.2 million French people are now in a relationship, but they do not live under the same roof. A journalist from Le Figaro asks the question: “Maybe those engaged in a guest marriage or “non-cohabiting couples” have found a cure for what Moliere’ called the inevitable erosion of love?”
Maybe so.
After all, married people have never been so independent.
Everyone can now survive alone perfectly well, public opinion is no longer so categorical, and traditional family values seem to be rapidly moving into the category of non-traditional ones. The radical increase in life expectancy is yet another factor.
In the 19th century, life expectancy in Europe was about 37-38 years. Once you got married and gave birth to children, you could get ready for the churchyard! People did not have time to get bored! And now they just whine how sick they are of everyday life and monotony, how depressing everything is, how they want freedom, freshness, and change. Hence, “let’s give each other some rest.”
So they have a rest. They go to visit each other. To maintain polarity. Yet, you should not take for granted the idea that guest marriage (instead of the usual one) will make those tired of family life happier. But if this helps someone to preserve love and official family ties, let it be. Let everyone live at his/her own home. In joy and sorrow.
Could you live in a guest marriage?