Two Unmarried Seniors Living Together Sarah and Ben, both in their seventies and

Question

Two Unmarried Seniors Living Together
Sarah and Ben, both in their seventies and widowed, have fallen in love and feel a strong need for each others' companionship. Because Sarah would lose her social security pension if she remarried, they have moved into an apartment together without getting married and are enjoying a full sex life. Their grown children for the most part are very upset by this and constantly tell Sarah and Ben how they feel about their domestic arrangement. Some of the children even refuse to call or visit them because they are living together. Despite this situation, Ben and Sarah seem to be happy.

Is what they are doing moral? Why, or why not?

Explanation / Answer

Morality is the principle concerning what is good and bad or what is right or wrong. There are a few ground rules set by every society and need to be followed in order to be aligned by the societal norms. Any deviation from the norms or the rules is considered to be immoral. Who decides on what is moral or immoral?

Well, it beings with a child who basis his moral judgment on the repercussions that would follow. A toddler feels that the actions that lead to reinforcement are good whereas the ones that lead to punishment are bad. The intention is not considered, it is about bad behaviour being unacceptable. An adult on the other hand, basis his moral judgment by rationalizing without any preconceived thoughts attached to the society or law. Morality is indeed subjective. Having said that, it does not mean that you do illegal things and say it's okay within your realm of morality. Acting in a moral or immoral way is extremely subjective. What may be immoral to me which is cheating, another couple may be cool with being in an open relationship. What may be in accordance with Ben and Sarah's morality may not seem moral to another person. Ben and Sarah's children refuse to visit them or talk to them because they are bothered by 'what will people say?'. Everybody has a perspective and an opinion. There's no right and wrong. Ben and Sarah are happy living together. To them it is morally right. To each his own.

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