Why are men choosing not to marry anymore?

[ejpoeta]

134. I am married. I went to a friend's party

and virtually everyone there was divorced. I feel like I am odd or something. My parents were married for 24 years until my Mom died. Then my dad and his girlfriend were together for over 20 years. I have 5 siblings. I have 3 older sisters that have been married for at 24 and 25 years. My brother has been married for 14 or 15 years and had a 4 year old son at the time. My little sister has been married for 15 years... she married at 19. I was the last to marry.... My husband and I were together for 10 years before we got married. My oldest was the flower girl.... she was 4 or 5 at the time. My second child was born two months later.... For my husband and I, we had already made that commitment. The marriage was for everyone else... We wanted it for legal protections. And I changed my name because it would make it easier since everyone kept calling me Mrs. Ostrander. Marriage isn't always easy.... no relationship is. But I know I have one person who believes in me. We are outnumbered... us and 3 kids! Bob is my best friend. He makes me laugh... He loves me unconditionally. And I love him no matter what. Sometimes I think people jump in too fast and by the time they figure out they aren't compatible it becomes a very sticky situation. Or they discover a controlling personality... or so many things that end up causing friction. At least for me, being able to listen to the other person and work together towards a common goal is key. But it doesn't work unless both parties are on the same page and willing to walk that path together.

Marriage isn't for everyone. It isn't as important as it once was.... to me it is merely a piece of paper for the state (and your family, I guess). Some folks plan a wedding without considering the marriage. What it means. I got married at the family reunion. Our commitment was already made. The theme: the 60s. My aunt made a cake, my dad had a propeller hat on and my uncle played his guitar. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Not everyone wants to make that commitment. They should not be chided or called names because of it. We all have the right to make choices for ourselves. As long as everyone knows beforehand, then that is all that matters. Marriage is not what it once was. And I really hate the saying about making an honest woman out of her.... Oh i see.... the man can do whatever and sleep with whoever and it's just fine... but a woman needs a man to make HER honest. but i digress! What's great is having the choice. That we can choose to marry or not. Choose to have kids or not.