Marriage?

[Bellringer]

Reading through this there is always mention of partners boy/girl friends. Does nobody get married anymore?
Am I too old fashioned? Or, are people afraid of commitment?

[WendyS]

I firmly believe in marriage and it's worked for me for four decades now ! I think people are deluding themselves if they think living together is a way of avoiding commitment. They still commit themselves emotionally, and often legally through joint mortgages and if you read this section there are many people whose lives have crumpled when a live-in partner has walked out and left them holding the baby or funding 100% of the mortgage payments. So co-habiting isn't the easy way out it often seems. I sometimes wonder why people won't commit to marriage. It sort of suggests to me that they're putting a caveat on the relationship and saying "I'll only make it work as long as it suits me". I accept that some marriages end in divorce, but if you've taken the time and trouble to get to know your partner sufficiently before making the commitment of marriage, I still think that's the best way of ensuring it succeeds.

[scoobybob]

Hi, sorry if I am a bit late with this one.

You don;t need to be married to be committed. My partner & I have been together 18 years - I love him, he loves me, we are together because we want to be, not because of some impersonal vow written by someone else. I feel secure because we trust each other & we share the same hopes & dreams. We are committed, and I don't beleive standing up in front of our friends & telling them that could possible make what we have any better.

I have heard said that marriage is what couples discuss when they have run out of other things to talk about!!!

Having said all that - each to their own - we must all do what makes us happy, and if you feel the need to be married then go for it - but why must you then send me a wedding list so I can upgrade your perfectly adequate belongings!!