Thread: Don't you think it's wonderful that women have CHOICES these days?

Originally Posted by Mes_T

Yes I LOVE that! Even though I think that at some point I DO want to get married and have/adopt children, I still get a little thrill hearing people say that they don't want those things. Imagine saying that 50 years ago. Freak!

Apparently studies show that in general couples tend to be happier without children, too. I can see why... less financial and emotional stress. But on the other hand, I know many people who have children say that they are the best thing that have happened to them.

I wonder why there's a growing trend out there that considers marriage to be a bad thing. Do you know the specifics? Is it just because of the possibility of a difficult divorce?

My own personal observations,

First I tend to think that people are finding that love and commitment do not necessarily need to be validated with marriage certificates as much as it did when my parents married or even when I married for the first time. The perception of children being the fruit of a marriage is being replaced by children being the fruit of committed parents. Not that this is a hard and fast rule, just my own observation.

I wouldn't give up for the world the pleasure I've had being involved in raising 2 fantastic kids. Both have become young adults I'm extremely proud of.

At the same time, I know I can now live as I want to. They're pretty much on their own (even though they live with their mom) and have their own lives that don't necessarily include me. That's ok.

As for marriage being a bad thing, I'm starting to think that young adults my kids age (24 & 19) have seen more than their fair share of divorces whether they be amiable or bitter to see that the institution of "marriage" may be more trouble than it's worth.

Maybe, just maybe, the young adults these days are seeing commitment as more important.