An extended review of a 2024 book by Andrea Mrozek and Peter Jon Mitchell
Note: Our print issue contains a shorter version of this review. Faith Today welcomes your thoughts on any of our reviews. We also welcome suggestions of other Canadian Christian books to review: Contact us.
Cascade, 2024. 136 pages. $30 (ebook $10)
If you are looking for a book which makes a supportive case for the institution of marriage, you will appreciate the premise of this one authored by employees of the think tank Cardus (www.cardus.ca). Mrozek previously served as executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada.
The authors pack a lot of research into a small volume without causing the text to be overly academic. There are considerable ideas for the reader to contemplate and either be challenged with or encouraged by.
Their book is broken down into four main chapters followed by essays from journalist Candice Malcolm and demographer Lyman Stone.
“Why Marriage Is Still a Thing, Even Today” traces the origin of the institution and its resilience in remaining an important part of society, North American and otherwise. The ramifications of marriage in the areas of finding a soulmate, practicing sexuality, serving as the foundation for family life, and creating community are discussed.
The chapter on “The Marriage Advantage” examines several aspects of marriage that affect individuals and couples in relation to their mental and physical health for the better. This chapter may be the most eye-opening as the authors show that they have done their work in researching the pros of marriage.
Their survey may not be exhaustive but there are a variety of blessings that they list for how marriage positively influences generations and societies where it is celebrated and perpetuated. Some of these will remind readers of truths they already know or have heard while others may border on being revelatory and encourage further reflection.
“Changing Marriage: The Trade Offs” is the longest chapter and examines the alternative means by which people are choosing to come together outside traditional marriage. Readers may find this chapter to be the most fascinating and may also find it to be the chapter where the authors, while still supplying objective analysis, begin to predict where they see the future going with these alternative means of people committing to one another.
They opine without being judgmental, holding to the nonpartisan roots of the organization they serve.
“Living an Ancient Institution in Modern Times” is the authors’ call for marriage to have a clear and relevant expression in the 21st century and beyond, particularly for the generation of young adults who are looking for meaning from their marital union.
The reflections by Malcolm and Stone bring a strong personal touch to the book as they share stories from their pasts as to what the institution of marriage has meant to them as well as their hopes for what it will mean for others.
I really appreciate the way information is presented in this book. It gives open access for anyone regardless of ethnicity or faith to consider the ongoing value of a man and woman taking each other to become a lawfully wedded husband and wife. This book is informative rather than arguing for a political or religious agenda.
The authors offer facts that the reader can take away, an approach which perhaps may not be as clearly heard in the maelstrom of today’s media.
As I read this book I thought about single people. How would someone who is widowed or single by choice interpret the messages here? The authors do point out that marital status is not a means of superiority, but from their research they conclude that it has benefits which should see the light of day and be shared for people’s enrichment. In other words, being married doesn’t make you better than anyone else but it could personally affect the men and women in a marriage for the better.
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