Breakdown:

1. Unequal Enforceability of Marriage Promises: One of the major problems with modern marriage, especially in the West, is the imbalance in how promises within the marriage are enforced by law. In most heterosexual marriages, men typically provide protection and financial stability, while women traditionally offer emotional care, kindness, and intimacy.
2. Legal Enforcement for Men, Not Women: The obligations that men bring to a marriage, like financial support and shelter, are enforceable by the law. If a man fails to fulfill these duties, legal consequences, such as wage garnishment, license revocation, or even jail time, can occur. However, the law cannot enforce the non-tangible aspects of a woman’s role, like emotional care, kindness, or even her participation in raising children according to the husband’s values.
3. The Imbalance in Accountability: This creates a dangerous dynamic where one party’s responsibilities are legally binding, while the other’s are not. A husband is bound by law to provide material support, but the court cannot compel a wife to maintain affection, kindness, or emotional support, which are often central to the marriage agreement.
4. A Risky Arrangement for Men: Because the state only enforces one side of the marriage contract, it puts men in a potentially vulnerable position. They must fulfill their legally enforced obligations, while their partner’s responsibilities are subjective and unenforceable. This imbalance raises concerns about fairness and equity within the institution of marriage as it is currently structured.
5. Conclusion: The current framework of marriage leaves men exposed to a lopsided legal arrangement, where their duties are enforceable under the law while their spouse’s contributions are not. This imbalance highlights a key issue with the institution of marriage as it stands today in many Western cultures.