Documentary Asks if Marriage Still Matters

As divorce laws, practices and opinions change, so does the “face” of modern marriage – because fewer people are trying the knot.

For example, for the first time in history, there are more single Canadians than married ones, and there are more common-law unions than ever before. It’s an overall trend “away from the alter” that some find troubling, others find liberating, but that most are probably very confused about – because they aren’t sure what to make of this changing face of modern marriage. 

For all of these people, the answers they seek (or at least, a better understanding of the issues) could to be found in the soon-to-be-aired CBC documentary Thoroughly Modern Marriage.

Through interviews and discussions with couples, neurologists, sociologists and historians from across , the documentary asks the fundamental questions: does marriage still matter? Is it “broken”? And if so, can and should it be saved? 

“Marriage is being forced to adapt to changing times,” the documentary’s director and producer Sue Ridout told the CBC News. “Brides and grooms are older – five years older on average than in previous generations – and more couples get settled with houses, careers, even children before they tie the knot – if they do at all.  We’re at a controversial tipping point, with more Canadians who are single rather than married, and it raises the question of whether marriage as an institution has a viable future.”

Thoroughly Modern Marriage airs on CBC ’s “Doc Zone” on Thursday January 20, 2011 at 9PM across Canada (9:30pm in Newfoundland ).

To learn more about the documentary, visit http://dreamfilm.ca/film/thoroughly-modern-marriage/.

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