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There is nothing sacred about marriage at all. It's an instrument of secular society that many religions have incorporated into their list of rituals as a means of providing a feel-good confirmation and communal recognition for the decisions of members, even those of the most obviously mismatched couples.
The divorce rate of 50% commonly bandied about is inaccurate and misleading, but the actual chance of eventual divorce in a first marriage is significant enough that each partner should take care to establish and maintain a capacity for self-sufficiency. It's worth bearing in mind that it isn't only divorce that can put you in sudden need of that. That said, the rough odds of a first marriage ending in divorce are 20% within 5 years, 30% within 10 years, and 40% within 15 years. Things slow down after that. The average first marriage ending in divorce does so after about 11 years.
These numbers however are signficantly skewed by the absolutely horrible record of groups such as those who marry in their teens and those who marry when the woman is already pregnant. These are basically crash-and-burn scenarios. If on the other hand, prospective partners are at least 25 years of age, have at least some college education, have a combined income of at least $50K, do not have a baby either before or within one year of marriage, have some form of common religious belief, and come themselves from intact families, the odds of a first marriage ending in divorce fall dramatically. The biggies in this list are the income, baby, and age factors. Meeting just those three would cut the risk of divorce about in half. Meeting the others as well would cut it by about three-quarters. So this is not a one-size-fits-all sort of thing. Divorce does not occur randomly, so there is no single rate that will apply to everyone.
sacred as in the religious concept? its a sacrament but the law has defiled it. btw marriage failure is 50% but marriage itself has fallen 50% since 1975. its a double whammy. that is why you see so many frustrated angry women. hard to build a nest by yourself. womens movement made good on many of its promises, but women are far from pleased with the results.
I honestly don't think so. Look at our divorce rates. Fifty one percent. Dang. That is over HALF the marriages in this country.
It is not about love anymore as it is about tax breaks. That is the only reason I think I would get married. Don't get me wrong, I love the one who I am with but we can be together and in love without getting married. You don't need to be in love to get married. But I want the tax breaks when we eventually decide to settle.
I actually know someone who married their friend just for tax cuts and they are getting it.
I don't think marriage is sacred or necessary anymore.
Anyone who has read any of my posts on marriage in general, knows that I believe that it is something the state shouldn't be involved with, and that its on a decline.
That said, I have respect for the institution. That, and perhaps its my twisted sense of keeping my word, but I believe when you make a pledge, you honor it.
This is why I will never get married. I may love the person I'm with, but that doesn't mean that I will love her, if she becomes vegetable, or if she ruins my life in some malicious way, or any other reason I could come up with to not be with her.
I might get married, oh, when I'm 80. Its not going to happen in my 30's, 40's, or 50's thats for damn sure.
Then you should just get one of those pseudo-marriages that a few states allow for second-class citizens - you know - a civil union.
Oh - but you won't get the federal tax breaks. You'll have to wait awhile for that - no one knows how long. Hopefully you and your partner won't mind having to file your federal tax return as single individuals, even with your pseudo-marriage/civil union/domestic partnership - or whatever the hell the freaks call it.
Last edited by AnUnidentifiedMale; 12-05-2009 at 11:56 AM..
Then you should just get one of those pseudo-marriages that a few states allow for second-class citizens - you know - a civil union.
I am with you on that one.
You have no idea how passionate I am for gay rights and allowing them the right to the benefits of marriage. Tax breaks, visitation and all.
100 percent behind you all on this one.
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