Oops, she did it again.
Britney Spears is set to marry for the second time. The pop star recently announced she's engaged to Kevin Federline, a former backup dancer for her tour. Earlier this year, she married her childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas and annulled the union a few hours later.
Are her actions are just one more reason teens today look at the institution of marriage in a different way?
It's not just Spears and other celebrities fond of quickie marriages and divorces molding young perspectives. Other pop culture trends also are making an impact, such as reality shows like "Who Wants to Marry my Dad?"
But at the most fundamental level, marriage today doesn't look like it did 50 or even 25 years ago. Compared to past generations when marriage was defined only in the traditional sense, modern times have led to broader definitions: easy divorces, remarriages and same-sex marriages.
It has also changed as equality has increased between men and women, with expanded roles for both, according to marriage and family counselor Larry Isaacs.
"The father used to be the breadwinner, and women took care of the children," said Isaacs, who practices in Berkeley. "Now, things are changing."
Shifting values
The divorce rate in the United States nearly doubled from 1962 to 2003, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This increase may be one reason youths today say they recognize marriage as an agreement that can be terminated at any time and for any reason.
"Kids feel separated sometimes, but it's not their fault, " said Giovanna Hernandez, 12, a student at Monroe Middle School. "Divorce is not a big deal for some people anymore."
And in recent months, same-sex marriages challenge tradition as homosexuals fight for their right to be wed despite President George W. Bush's opposition.
"People should choose who they want to marry," said Nicole Garthwait, 13, who was shopping recently at Westfield Shoppingtown Valley Fair. "Gays should be respected as people."
As seen on television
Exposure to reality television shows that depict love as a material item also contributes to the mentality that marriage is disposable.
"They give the impression that marriage is easy. People could just be on these shows for the fame and time on television," said 16-year-old Eric Wang, a student at Lynbrook High School.
Some reality television shows also send the message that faithfulness in marriage is no longer important. Shows such as "The Bachelor" and "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?" involve couples who claim to devote themselves to each other but few of those matches actually survive the test of time. Other shows, such as "For Love or Money," represent love as a paycheck instead of a genuine feeling.
"I hate reality television shows. I think they are fake and they probably do not find love at first sight," said 15-year-old Dalan Dinh, who also is a student at Lynbrook High.
Love and the tabloids
Celebrity weddings are often widely publicized. But the divorces that are right around the corner demonstrate that marriage can just as easily be thrown away.
A perfect example of a celebrity who has tied the knot - for a third time in this case - is actress-singer Jennifer Lopez.
She married singer Marc Anthony just months after her famous break-up with actor Ben Affleck. At the time of the wedding, Anthony himself had only been divorced from former Miss Universe Daynara Torres for less than a week.
"It is immature for celebrities to act this way," said psychiatrist Morris Brock, who practices in San Francisco. "Marriage is presented in a casual way."
Emphasizing tradition
Still, some people are working to strengthen the focus on the traditional aspects of marriage.
The Catholic Church, for example, requires couples to participate in prenuptial retreats where they are supposed to realize that marriage involves intimacy and trust, not simply a physical attraction.
"Marriage is faith in general," said the Rev. Robert Brocato of the Christ the King Catholic Church in San Jose. "It is not seen in the same light by kids today, who are more critical of what they see as traditional religious practice."
But others say the changes that are in motion are far-reaching and can't be stopped that easily.
"Values are changing rapidly," said Isaacs, the marriage counselor. "Gay marriage is not a governmental issue; it is a cultural issue. The attitude about marriage has evolved, but I'm not sure if it is positive on society."
For many teens, these issues have prompted them to a new set of guidelines about marriage.
"Marriage can't be taken for granted, it is sacred," said Owais Mahesri, 16, a student at Irvington High School in Fremont. "The way Americans in general observe marriage is way off-base, like it is some kind of temporary restraining order keeping a person faithful."