Reaction paper

John Mark B. Bostrillo

Mr. Rem Beryl Y. Veloso

Divorce has been a controversial topic spoken and affected by millions of people
all over the globe. As a matter of fact, approximately 50% of all marriages end in divorce
and about 60% of all divorces involve children. Divorce is the legal dissolution of a
marriage by a court or other competent body. If a person has not been through the
painful experience of divorce themselves, watched how it tore their once loving and
happy family apart, and made their parents strangers or enemies then, they cannot say
they know what is divorce. Divorce, 7 letter words that can either change your life for
better or make it a living nightmare. Why would the respected spouses choose to break
their family apart especially when children are involved? Perhaps one partner cheated,
or they don’t feel that spark and butterflies they once did.
Nowadays, the Philippines remains the only nation in the world that does not
have a law legalizing divorce. The question is are we really ready to have this kind of
law?
The Divorce Bill, is a bill aiming to protect and strengthen marriage and the family
as basic social institutions, to value the dignity of every human person, to guarantee full
respect for human rights, and to ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
women and men. This bill give Filipino couples in irreparable and unhappy marriages an
option.
Yes, we are a Catholic country. God did not made man and woman to be united
then separated after dealing with problems. But this bill is a choice, an option. It is a
chance for either the wife or the husband to make amends about what he or she has
done wrong in the past. And by this, they are able to live a new and happy life. Despite
the beliefs, traditions, and cultures, put yourself in the shoes of a battered wife. Wouldn’t
you want to leave your marriage? Would you keep up with the abuses your partner
gives you? Would you keep up with the marriage that would probably lead to nothing?
Would you want your children to suffer because of a broken family? Would you keep
trying to make your marriage work even though you know it won’t anymore? I am sure
that we all have the same answer for that, NO.
Divorce as defined by Merriam Dictionary is the action or an instance of legally
dissolving a marriage. Divorce is not fun for anyone. It is the end of a union that involves
emotional, physical and legal turmoil.
I am an anti divorce citizen; I do believe that having the law on divorce approved
in the country would alter the family meaning. In our culture, family is the most basic unit
in the community. It is important that we cherish the marriage that God has bestowed
upon us to be able to enjoy the happiness within a family.
 According to the bible, marriage is a holy matrimony that is between two people
on the opposite sex that cherishes and loves each other. This bond would be stronger if
God is in every marriage that exists. In taking a vow of marriage we said that is a higher
spiritual purpose. Marriage teaches individuals about the need for God, the need to truly
open up their hearts to love, to honor others, to respect others, and to pray. All human
beings are imperfect in the eyes of God, and marriage is an institution of learning and
teaching, not personal pleasure and fulfillment.
Fighting for your marriage, can help you and your partner beat the odds and
master the skills that can prevent marital distress and divorce. Effort can be rewarded,
that effort is worth it, and that working together to solidify the communication,
commitment, friendship, and intimacy of the marriage relationship is critical to the
preservation of what our society seems no longer to truly value a solid marriage that
lasts for life. 
Every relationship, whether it is a marriage or just a friendship, can at one point
in time or another develop conflict. People often find their marriage relationship
improved and strengthened if they persist to work on their communication skills through
courses and workshops. There are many occasions for married couples to improve their
marriage relationship through marriage retreats, workshops, and other educational
programs. Research has shown that on average, couples wait almost six years from the
first signs of trouble before they get help. Marriage workshops are intended to
strengthen a marriage or relationship. If a couple already has a strong relationship,
these workshops can provide them with approaches and tools in order to make it a
great one. If ones relationship is troubled, these workshops provide a road map for
repair.
It is not only that the parents would be affected by divorce but their children as
well. Depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and a lack of interest in those things that
used to give the child pleasure are some of the psychological symptoms of childhood
stress. A divorce could add to existing anxiety or cause it. Divorce creates dramatic
changes to the child’s lifestyle, especially if household income suddenly declines
because of the loss of one parent. Children are affected on many levels when their
parents get divorced. Not only do they lose the stability they once enjoyed or took for
granted. Children also miss out on material pleasures their friends have, and their social
lives may suffer as a result. Physical ailments are another possible consequence of
childhood stress that is caused or exacerbated by divorce. Changes in eating habits,
eating disorders, or psychosomatic ailments all become possible. Parents need to pay
attention to signs of such problems and pay attention when their children complain of
physical discomfort.
In our country today, a lot of people take marriage for granted, thinking that if
things won’t work out they can always get divorce, but they haven’t realized the effects
of divorce on them psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. In marriage it is about a
lifetime commitment to cherish the other person, to work things out and to make it a
goal to include God in the experience and gift of life.