There Is No Way a Booty Can Call You - The Long Lost Art of Marriage

[Johnny Ready]

Are you logical? Do you like to have fun? Have you ever made a booty call or received one? I do not believe I have. There is no way a booty can call you. This is non sense, this "booty call" you speak of.
On the other hand it does bring to mind a rather absurd and pointless question. Why is your momma on my lips? Clearly Eminem was under the affects of some very crude form of drug when he wrote this.
Yes, my question. Do you believe we as a society are losing interest in marriage? Do you think thanks to booty call we no longer wish to be married? Marriage is the foundation of a civilized society, do you believe there are reasons to expect the numbers of married people to decrease over time?

What do you think? I'm right, right? There is no way a booty can call you.

[alp227]

1. Actually it is "My bum is on your lips, my bum is on your lips"

Eminem was mocking Tom Green.

And it is definitely a post-marriage society because the world is getting more secular, the economy is making family life harder, and overpopulation is making many not want the "Leave It to Beaver" lifestyle.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Most Highly Successful people I know come from Life-Long Marriages

sorry if some find that offensive

[Avalux]

37. Interesting. I guess I'm an exception to that.

Single mom, raised three daughters alone - and highly successful. Why do you suppose that is? What about being married, makes people more successful? Shared responsibilities? And are these people you speak of male or female?

I'm not offended, just wondering if you have a reason for what you've posted.

[FreakinDJ]

44. Like CEO of major Electric Company succesful

I noticed because I too was a single full time working parent for many years earning low 6 figures in a technical field.

[TlalocW]

3. How is marriage a foundation of a civilized society?

I hear that all the time, but to me, they're just words that people say, and everyone just agrees on because it sounds good. Not that I'm dissing marriage - if you want to get married, get married. If you don't, don't. There are a number of reasons marriages are decreasing - both males and females are able to support themselves so the average age of people getting married for the first time has increased; a person's definition of being successful may not include marriage which I'm sure causes conniptions in people bemoaning the long lost art of marriage. Growing number of people who have decided that religion or government doesn't get to define their relationship. And yes, people who just want to "party" all the time (and have different levels of success at it). I'm a never married 41-year-old male, and I don't consider myself unsuccessful in life because I've never married. I never dated much in high school (small town, and I was a nerd), and when I got out of college, I decided I did not want to have children, and that automatically reduces your dating pool so as the years went by, I got used to my singleness as my natural state. That's my life, but I don't see it as contributing to society becoming less civilized.

TlalocW

[Johnny Ready]

7. We Are Here to Reproduce, Marriage Allows Commitment.

I do agree with you on one major point, marriage does not equal success. Being in love and making a commitment to someone who is a constant positive in our lives may help us become more successful. How you ask? That I don't know, I have never been married.

[MNBrewer]

12. We are here to reproduce?

How does reproduction form the basis of a civilized society?

[Johnny Ready]

15. That's What Your Balls Are For

Literally our balls are proof we are here to reproduce.

Also it is important to know family is the meaning of life. The true joy is found in both having a family to grow up in as well as eventually making your own. I call it civilization. I think it might catch on.

[PasadenaTrudy]

16. Childfree

here. No need for kids to have a joyful, thank you very much.

[Johnny Ready]

30. Good Point - We Are All Different

There are 28 million people in Fla. it's true nothing is for everyone.

[BainsBane]

17. Not everyone's "balls are proof we need to reproduce"

Some people are gay and others childless, though clearly the species has to propagate for civilization to endure.

[Johnny Ready]

31. I Never Used the Word "Need"

You have a decent point not everyone's balls are made for reproduction although you have to admit that probably was the intended purpose.

I love all people, regardless of how they wish to handle their balls.

[REP]

18. Biology is not destiny

You may have balls - I do not - but I'll make the assumption we both have brains. We can both decide if we wish to reproduce. You may think that having children is the best you can do; personally, I know I can do more and better for myself, so why should I saddle myself with something I have no interest in?

Incidentally, I have been in a committed relationship for 21 years, only 6 of those had the sanction of the State and then only because we had acquired enough property that a marriage license was cheaper than hiring a lawyer to draw up all the paperwork to assure us the medical decision making and property rights (etc) magically bestowed by a stupid, archaic practice. So, do the previous 15 years not count, or do none of the years count since we are Childfree (I am twice sterilized, in fact)?

[Johnny Ready]

32. Forrow Your Dreams - William Hung

You have a good point, anyone who feels the need to use the word "saddle" to describe the affect of having a family is not programmed to have one. I understand this thought process because it has described myself most of my adult life. Only recently did I start to envy my friends who had families to raise. Like you I feel that I have a different destiny in life than most, and have chosen at this point to continue to pursue my dreams. Good luck to you in all of your endeavors.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. What is your stance on Marriage rights for LGBT people?

Just curious.

[Johnny Ready]

33. Equality Above All Else

That's how I feel. All American's should have equal rights, all the time.

[Agschmid]

42. Certainly a valid question!

[MadrasT]

29. Horsefeathers.

Reproduction is an option for some, not a purpose for all.

[Agschmid]

41. You lost me...

[roody]

20. We have overdone the reproduction.

We can stop now.

[Codeine]

47. Maybe you're here to reproduce, but don't drag me into that shit. nt

[Johnny Ready]

53. I Do.

I'm sorry I thought you asked me to marry you. My bad. Call me.

[hack89]

13. It is the best way to keep children and women out of poverty

there is a direct correlation between income levels and marriage. The more income a man or women has, the more likely it is that they are married. Conversely, single parents and poverty go hand in hand.

For men ages 30-50 in the top 10 percent of annual earnings—a group that saw real earnings increases over time—83 percent are married today, down modestly from about 95 percent in 1970. For the median male worker (who experienced a decline in earnings of roughly 28 percent), only 64 percent are married today, down from 91 percent 40 years ago. And at the bottom 25th percentile of earnings, where earnings have fallen by 60 percent, half of men are married, compared with 86 percent in 1970. While the share of men who have been divorced has increased across the earnings distribution, an increase in the share of men who have never been married is the largest contributor to lower marriage rates.

The growing economic opportunities for women have been accompanied by changes in marriage rates. Figure 2 underscores that, just as with men, the decline in marriage rates is not spread evenly across income levels. Marriage rates either held constant or increased for the top 10 percent of female earners over the last four decades. In contrast, the bottom 70 percent of female earners saw their marriage rates decline by more than 15 percentage points.

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/jobs/posts/2012/02/03-jobs-greenstone-looney

A family with two incomes offers more opportunities, more stability, more resources.

[treestar]

51. The divorce rate is pretty high though

Divorces causes instability of all kinds.

[hack89]

52. Interesting enough, there is a strong correlation between income and divorce rates

The key is that the research shows that starting in the 1980s education, specifically a college degree for women, began to create a substantial divergence in marital outcomes, with the divorce rate for college-educated women dropping to about 20 percent, half the rate for non-college educated women. Even this is more complex, since the non-college educated women marry younger and are poorer than their college grad peers. These two factors, age at marriage and income level, have strong relationships to divorce rates; the older the partners and the higher the income, the more likely the couple stays married. Obviously, getting a college degree is reflected in both these factors.

Thus, we reach an even more dramatic conclusion: That for college educated women who marry after the age of 25 and have established an independent source of income, the divorce rate is only 20 percent!

Of course, this has its flip side, that the women who marry younger and divorce more frequently are predominately black and Hispanic women from poorer environments. The highest divorce rate, exceeding 50 percent, is for black women in high-poverty areas. These women clearly face extraordinary challenges and society would do well to find ways to reduce not just teen pregnancies but early marriages among the poor and develop programs that train and educate the poor. Those will not only delay marriage but provide the educational and financial foundation required to increase the probability of a marriage being successful. Early marriage, early pregnancy, early divorce is a cycle of broken families that contributes significantly to maintaining poverty. The cost to our society is enormous.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-myth-of-the-high-rate-of-divorce/00011473

[mimi85]

21. One of my best long-time male friends

feels just as you do and I've always admired his position. I totally agree that not being married or not wanting to have children can be a positive thing.

I will never forget my beloved MIL dumping on a priest for not "allowing" birth control. She had 5 children and went to bed hungry many a time. And the Vatican sits on billions of dollars (in money and objects), but insists that followers should not use birth control. Even though most of them do these days. It literally has made me nauseous seeing starving children due to the church. It's past time that they get with the 21st century. Hell, the 20th century!

I'm so very thankful that my husband and I agreed that one child was enough. And as much as we adore her, she was an "oops." She knows this and is fine with it. So many changes in my lifetime. The pill had just come out when I became sexually active; I'm extremely fortunate that I didn't get pregnant sooner than I did. I was 17 and our daughter was born just a few months after my 18th bday. Somehow my body knew this was the right man for me. Or more likely, I was just lucky. Take care, Jennifer

[pipi_k]

38. Bad enough on a conceptual level...

I will never forget my beloved MIL dumping on a priest for not "allowing" birth control. She had 5 children and went to bed hungry many a time. And the Vatican sits on billions of dollars (in money and objects), but insists that followers should not use birth control.

But when they start sticking their noses into people's personal business, it's time to kick them to the curb.

A lady I worked with told me one time about a Catholic friend of hers who, long ago, was visited by the Parish Priest one day. He made it pretty clear that she was not doing her job as a "good Catholic" to add new Catholics to the fold because she only had two children.

Needless to say, she was highly annoyed and the priest was lucky to be thrown out of her home without personal injury to himself, that's how pissed she was.

[REP]

4. Yeah. The 19th century called; they miss you.

Marriage is a formalized way of cementing property transfer and family alliances, as well as guaranteeing the paternity of offspring.

Then the 20th century happened. Women can own their own property instead of being property, and paternity can be determined with tests. We no longer have a system of lords and fealty, so the family alliance stuff is useless unless you're a Kennedy, Rothschild, etc.

[Johnny Ready]

8. I Was Busy on the Computer Checking my Match.com Emails.

Thanks that is an interesting answer. I will have to consider this before I can reply.

[Ohio Joe]

5. You never had a booty call... I feel bad for you

I remember back when I was living in Ohio... Sarah, I wonderful woman I knew there would call very regularly... Yes, those were good times

[eissa]

6. To each their own, of course, but

I cherish my 20-year marriage. Particularly on a day like today when I came home in tears because of a health issue, and he provided a shoulder to cry on, and took care of dinner and dishes. And having the kids express their gratitude that we're hangin in there is nice to hear. It's not for everyone, but it still means something to some of us.

[Johnny Ready]

9. Kudo's to You

I deal with a large number of married people on a daily basis. It is nice to see a couple who have found a way to make it work all those years. Marriage may not be for everyone as you mentioned but it does definitely have an upside that is undeniable.

[PowerToThePeople]

10. to each their own

Imo, it is not something to be taken lightly. I have not found that special "someone", if that person exists at all. I do not think it harms society to have rates decline.

[bullwinkle428]

11. Being alone is far preferable to being in a shitty marriage.

Voice of experience...trust me on this one!

[In_The_Wind]

14. Booty calls aren't the real reason a marriage is over.

Eminem is a rapper.
Most of the videos I've watched since opening this thread look as if he is on drugs.

Marriage isn't over but the way of life our parents knew is. Yes, I believe the number of married couples will decrease over time but I don't blame it on booty calls.

[Egalitarian Thug]

19. This post is a run-on logical fallacy built on a false premise and proceeding with

baseless assumptions that demonstrate an obvious lack of knowledge concerning the topic.

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. Go home. You're drunk

[jberryhill]

55. He would, but his booty call won't answer

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Hah?

Wha?

Hmn?

[Johnny Ready]

35. We Have to Have Some Fun...Can't be Serious All the Time

[Blue_Tires]

45. There's the lounge for that...

[liberal_at_heart]

24. I've been married for 19 years and this OP doesn't make any sense to me.

[1-Old-Man]

25. It made no sense to me either - and 47 years married here.

[Johnny Ready]

46. Did You Expect 19 Years of Marriage Would Improve Your Comprehension?

What's so hard to understand, this post is a question. Not an answer, maybe that will help you.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. I blame

SATAN

[Johnny Ready]

49. I Blame Tang, the Breakfast of Astronauts.

Thanks that made me laugh.

[Sheldon Cooper]

28. Wow.

So much wrong, crammed into just one post. Amazing.

[Johnny Ready]

50. Wow is my Favorite Response.

I am amazing.

[retread]

34. WTF???????????

[PasadenaTrudy]

36. Yeah, no kidding n/t

[Bradical79]

39. You are seriously confused.

Booty calls have nothing to do with declining marriage rates. Marriage rates are tied to economic prosperity and women's rights.

On the negative end of the spectrum, you have more people who feel they should wait to get married due to financial hardship. Getting married and having children is an increasingly expensive proposition. With less economic gap between the rich and everyone else, you would probably see higher marriage rates.

On the positive side, women having greater independence is likely to result in decreased marriage rates (and birth rates) because there is less societal pressure to jump into marriage at a young age.

[Johnny Ready]

54. Ask Tiger Woods if Booty Call Affects Marriage Rates :)

Thanks that was a very logical answer.

[duffyduff]

40. Totally incoherent OP. n/t

[wyldwolf]

48. A booty can call me as easily as a pizza can

... I think....