MARRIAGE IS A TOLKIEN ADVENTURE NOT A ROMCOM – GREAT NEW BOOK!

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The Canadian authors Andrea Mrozek and Peter Jon Mitchell recently shared some valuable insights from their important new book, “I… Do? Why Marriage Still Matters”. Our conversation revealed why marriage remains crucial – not only for individuals but for the health of society as a whole. Watch the full interview online here.

Andrea and Peter Jon challenge the common cultural view that reduces marriage to a lavish romantic event. They argue the “marriage industrial complex” distracts from marriage’s real strengths: commitment, stability, and practical benefits for life.

We explored key concerns, including how the rising average age of first-time fathers is significantly contributing to declining fertility rates and increasing social inequality. They clearly show how seeing marriage as a “capstone” – achieved only after career or financial success – creates unnecessary obstacles. Marriage, they emphasise, should instead serve as a foundational cornerstone in our lives.

Andrea describes marriage not as a short-lived romantic comedy but as a meaningful adventure, comparable to a Tolkien epic, filled with lasting depth and significance. She stresses that marriage, with its real-life challenges and rewards, requires consistent effort. This is precisely why the authors advise that marriage counselling should be as routine and stigma-free as keeping your mechanic’s number handy – every marriage benefits from regular care and attention.

The book also offers insightful evidence of how marriage positively affects children. “Marriage remains the most stable family form,” the authors explain, noting that children from married families consistently achieve better educational, emotional, and social outcomes.

Andrea strongly believes that restoring marriage is primarily a cultural responsibility, one that all of us should actively embrace, rather than leaving it to political figures. Their book serves as both a practical guide on how we achieve this, and an urgent call to action.

At C4M, we’re dedicated to revitalising a culture that recognises and celebrates the immense personal and societal value of real marriage. That’s why we not only campaign for policy change, but we also offer free pre-marriage and marriage refresher courses to churches and other organisations. Get in touch to learn more.