Od formalnego zobowiązania do kultury spotkania. Kilka refleksji na temat instytucji narzeczeństwa

Abstract

The marital relationship has a specific nature as it refers to unique values such as fidelity, loyalty, honesty and love. The process of shaping those elements provides a source of strength in daily marital life. Numerous studies dedicated to the relationship tend to forget a specific period, namely the time of engagement. It is then that young people begin to build their own unique relationship and get to know each other better. A question arises, however, whether engagement still exists. Officially, there are courses for engaged couples. From a commercial perspective, wedding trade fairs are increasingly often held; these are aimed at future marriages. While studying the situation of many engaged couples, it may be concluded that in that period they “pretend to be married”, live together, share their bills, and so forth. Therefore, engagement appears to be a gradually vanishing tradition. So does the institution still hold any value? What guidance can be offered to engaged couples on their path to marriage?