just because marriages lasted like that in the old days, doesn't mean that anyone was necessarily better off, or that they have some ancient secret and we here today haven't cracked the code of. divorce wasn't so much an option for them back in the day. yes it did exist, but it was still very taboo. you get divorced, and you were outcast from your friends, family, even society. most people then looked at marriage as this was it, there is no way out, EVER. regardless of the bad that came with it. granted, we today take advantage of the whole concept of divorce, and use it for reasons that are purely selfish and unnecessary. all you have to do is look at the stats on how many married couples divorce, then end up remarrying each other within 5 years of the divorce. today, we don't look at marriage as being another job, requiring work and maintenence. we look at it as woohoo....i've got a guarantee sex partner for life, maybe have some kids, go on some amazing trips, and it'll all be fun, fun, fun playing house.