1. Opposing argument 2
1.1. TOPIC SENTENCE: Negative influence coming from the media as well as people with influence, such as politicians and celebrities.
1.2. EXPLANATION 1: gives the impression that having multiple partners is acceptable.
1.3. EXPLANATION 2: government leaders are increasingly becoming involved in scandals, influencing their followers who may think that it is okay to follow suit
1.3.1. Consider carefully - are the examples of government leaders really that important in considering marriage? Do people look up to government leaders as marriage models?
1.3.1.1. Scandalous behaviour by politicians can cause normalizing of such social behaviour, more so if they are allowed to continue to hold their leadership position. They may also influence policies, which may change the mindsets of society to accepting this behaviour.
1.4. EXPLANATION 3: The Media has undeniably became one of the most powerful tool of communicating ideas and information in our world today. It is an influential institution that has the innate ability to affect the way people live and behave. The media has since proliferated the idea of having multiple partners through popular sitcoms, advertisements, etc, instilling in people the idea that having multiple partners in their lives may actually be normal and popular.
1.4.1. Gd point
1.5. EXAMPLES: Celebrity scandals like tiger woods/ Jack Neo, Government leaders like Nicholas Sarkozy
1.6. Link back:
2. Opposing argument 1
2.1. TOPIC SENTENCE: In our present society, more and more people are unable to stay committed to one partner for life.
2.2. EXPLANATION 1: Increasing divorce rate Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. People are committing themselves into an agreement that they have pledged to stay truthful to. When divorce rates are seen to be on the rise, it shows a break in commitment of staying truthful and faithful to that one partner you have pledged to do so.
2.3. EXPLANATION 2: There is no faith to see their marriage through for life. Many of them just want the easy way out of relationships.
2.4. EXPLANATION 3: demands of career results in stress and lesser time available for their spouses. Hence leading to a lack of communication and understanding, resulting in the inability to commit to the relationship
2.5. EXAMPLES: Divorce rates in Singapore: http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/marriages.pdf Reasons for divorce: http://anamikas.hubpages.com/hub/Divorce-Reasons
2.6. Link back:
2.7. EXPLANATION 4: The value of marriage has drastically changed over the years. What was deemed as a sacred matter is now often taken very lightly.
2.7.1. EXAMPLE: Interesting article! http://tdmoore.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/is-there-value-in-marriage-in-todays-society/
2.7.2. In relevance to article: "The issue is that people forget that they have become one, and today we like to run from struggles. We allow what society holds as a standard (lack thereof) or what we’ve become accustomed to overshadow what is really valuable. People don’t just disregard marriage, but in today’s world people are ready to give up on anything when things become tough. We see a struggle, and our first reaction is to run instead of jumping over the hurdle and seeing the glory at the end of a tough run."
2.7.3. Is it a tussle between individual and society?
2.8. Should this then be a supporting or opposing argument? Good para and excellent attempt at substantiation. For objective societal trends, you may also want to look at the most current state of the family report here (click on the arrow sign).
3. Thesis Statement/Stand
3.1. No, it is no longer realistic.
3.2. Trends have been changing from the past till the present
3.3. Considering the world that we live in today in terms of social norms, cultural practices and western influences.
3.4. With the value of marriage becoming more and more diluted, the younger generations do not deem one partner for life a realistic one.
3.5. The idea of having one partner for life is slowly become an ideal as compared to a reality in the past. However, in Singapore, this ideal still prevails with respect to our Asian values.
3.6. Introduction is relevant to the question requirements. Beware though - yr intro reads like it has inherent contradictions. You say marriage for life is no longer realistic, then you say the ideal still prevails in SG. Hmm. Do you mean that while it is still an ideal for many in most societies, this ideal is no longer realistic in the context of modern societies, even in more conservative societies? Avoid saying that 'an ideal prevails' because that makes it seem like you believe the statement to be true.
4. Supporting argument 1
4.1. TOPIC SENTENCE: Traditional cultures still hold for many people these days
4.2. EXPLANATION 1: our roots still maintain from past generations, prompting us to retain important values on family and on faith
4.3. EXPLANATION 2: Religious institutions also impart moral and social values through teachings
4.4. EXPLANATION 3: Our asian values and beliefs still prevail despite the huge influence from the west and many Singaporeans still hold firm to these beliefs and one of the significant belief is the idea of a family and staying loyal to one partner. Divorce was very much a taboo word in the past and still is to older generations now.
4.4.1. Quote: "Asian values disappear most slowly in SEA communities."http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1076055.stm
4.4.1.1. Good source
4.5. EXAMPLES: Churches of different religions, cultural practices.
4.5.1. A book in the bible, Genesis 2:24, suggests that marriage is the strongest human bond that transforms two people into "one flesh." The priests and pastors reemphasize the importance of having one spouse through biblical teachings and do not condone polygamy by refusing to solemnise such marriages.
4.5.1.1. Good point to show the influence of religion, but be careful not to let this point merely describe what the Bible says without linking it to the role of religion in influencing marriage. Organisation is needed in this section. You have too many explanations for one main point. Some of your explanations (e.g 2 can be a point in itself). Explanations 1 and 3 are too similar.
4.6. Link back:
5. Conclusion:
5.1. No conclusion?
5.2. All in all, the idea of having one partner for life, although still desired by many, is becoming increasingly unrealistic given the changing social norms of each succeeding generation.
5.3. This is due to the amplification of the 'glory' of famous political and cultural icons having more than one partner in life, highly influential media, the increasingly independent younger generation being able to support themselves both financially and emotionally, as well as the unwillingness of couples to stay committed to each other throughout their lives.
5.4. Having more than one partner for life may seem like betrayal to some, but a blessing to others. However, it is only with the passage of time that we will truly know whether having one partner for life is a reality or a dream.
6. Opposing argument 3
6.1. TOPIC SENTENCE: The idea of individualism is strongly evident as our society progresses
6.2. EXPLANATION 1: In the past, divorce was for very practical reasons as compared to today. Children were always seen to "tie down" a marriage and holds back married couples whenever they want to separate. However, the women in our society today are becoming more and more independent and do not believe in relying on men for financial support. Going beyond that, women believe that they are able to provide enough love to somewhat substitute for the lack of fatherly love. Hence, children seem lesser of a concern when it comes to divorce.This is more evident for women as compared to men.
6.2.1. Quote: http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/singapore/SOCIETY.html
6.2.2. Research: In the past(1990s), there was strong social stigma for divorce especially in chinese and indian families where the common grounds for divorce is usually the inability of the husband to continue providing for the family. This is opposed to the vast and diverse reasons that we have for divorce today, infidelity, character differences, ideal deviation, changes in desires etc.