I realize the question sounds idiotic, but let me state my case. I have been wondering about this for the last 20 years. While looking through this...
Famously Unmarried - Photo Essays - TIME
... I starting thinking about it again. Maybe a few of you would be willing to offer some insight.
If you are married, why did you decide to wed?
I understand (as much as I can) the emotional reasons for doing so. You look at the person, love him or her, and decide you want to spend the rest of your life (or, a good part of it) with that person.
But you can arguably do that without getting married. In other words, was there something you could not "get" while unmarried? Sex, children, and companionship can obviously exist outside the sanctity of a marriage.
For some things, marriage is a logical solution...
- health benefits
- an ultimatum from one of the partners
- wealth
- familial stuff (for example, "my father said he'd slit my lover's throat if we have sex before tying the knot.")
(From what I understand, there is no longer a marriage tax benefit in the U.S.)
Making matters more confusing (for me) is the divorce rate.
I realize some folks get married with the intention of one day going their separate ways. But they are a minority. The rest believe they will remain together until death, which is obviously optimistic.
Given this, why did you get married? Assuming your decision had nothing to do with health benefits, an ultimatum, wealth, or family stuff, what was achievable only through marriage?
If you have been married and are currently unmarried, would you ever tie the knot again? If so, why?
If you have never been married, would you do it? What would compel you?
I'm hoping to hear from a few of the ladies who haunt the board. Why did you - or would you - get married?
If you've read this far, thanks. I know I'm rambling, but this has been churning around in my head for a long time.
So, why'd ya do it?
Famously Unmarried - Photo Essays - TIME
... I starting thinking about it again. Maybe a few of you would be willing to offer some insight.
If you are married, why did you decide to wed?
I understand (as much as I can) the emotional reasons for doing so. You look at the person, love him or her, and decide you want to spend the rest of your life (or, a good part of it) with that person.
But you can arguably do that without getting married. In other words, was there something you could not "get" while unmarried? Sex, children, and companionship can obviously exist outside the sanctity of a marriage.
For some things, marriage is a logical solution...
- health benefits
- an ultimatum from one of the partners
- wealth
- familial stuff (for example, "my father said he'd slit my lover's throat if we have sex before tying the knot.")
(From what I understand, there is no longer a marriage tax benefit in the U.S.)
Making matters more confusing (for me) is the divorce rate.
I realize some folks get married with the intention of one day going their separate ways. But they are a minority. The rest believe they will remain together until death, which is obviously optimistic.
Given this, why did you get married? Assuming your decision had nothing to do with health benefits, an ultimatum, wealth, or family stuff, what was achievable only through marriage?
If you have been married and are currently unmarried, would you ever tie the knot again? If so, why?
If you have never been married, would you do it? What would compel you?
I'm hoping to hear from a few of the ladies who haunt the board. Why did you - or would you - get married?
If you've read this far, thanks. I know I'm rambling, but this has been churning around in my head for a long time.
So, why'd ya do it?
