In China, it would seem way too early for someone of my age to talk about marriage. However, I’m in America, a country that is accustomed to early marriage.

Recently, people in my hometown were shocked to learn that several purported affairs between famous Hong Kong artists were true. The artists admitted during press conferences that they had secretly married. One couple disclosed they are now in the process of ending their four-year marriage.

The artists defended that they kept their relationships secret to protect their careers and the divorcing couple claimed it was an amicable split. Aside from that, not much detail was provided.

Part of the controversy surrounding these recent revelations was just how out of place seemingly compulsive marriages are in China. To me, it was no surprise that in America, where quick Las Vegas-style weddings are not only heard of, but often glamorized, divorce is so common. It stands to reason that reckless marriages should dies out as quickly as they first emerge.

According to the Americans for Divorce Reform estimation, 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the U.S. will end in divorce. By comparison, the 33.8 percent divorce rate in Hong Kong is relatively optimistic. And, even then, Hong Kong’s rate is at an all-time high, as people are more open to western ideas and the concept of gender relations has possibly distorted.

Experts explain that a main reason of the high break-up rate in the U.S. is the individual freedom Americans so love to pursue. If love and family cannot bring people happiness and safety, some may reason that divorce is their only choice. It seems to me that children and family members are not often taken into consideration in this self-centered objective.

On the contrary, China is a nation that stresses family ties and family responsibility. To many of us, the belief that “marriage is a matter of only two people” doesn’t always apply. Instead, we realize that more people are influenced and affected by the success or failure of a relationship than the two.

Despite the cultural differences, the ever-changing social climate and the concept of relationships play a role in the maintenance of a marriage. Consider new obstacles to today’s relationships: Economically independent women feel more confident of their abilities to support themselves. Long working hours threaten the ability to spend time with significant others. Add to that childlessness, separate bank accounts and threats of infidelity, and it is easy to see just how challenging any relationship can be.

Generations of our past have frowned on divorce, but this generation seems to embrace it. This comes at seems to be merely paper.

However, the developments are not only for the worst. Could it be that people aren’t losing faith in love, but rather we are just becoming more open-minded toward gender relations?

To some, divorce doesn’t mean a loss of faith in love. Instead it just gives them a new hope for marriages of higher quality.

To me, marriage is a solemn decision for two people to enter another critical life stage together. Along with the ring, responsibilities are also slipped onto the hand. Although the mutual ties will be gone after the signature on the divorce agreement, a permanent scar will never be washed away.

So, think precisely before making any life-changing promises to your beloved; otherwise, a what may now seems to be a rosy romance could turn out to be a heart-breaker.

— Josie Ho is a U. Kansas junior from Macau, China, in journalism.