Interestingly enough, the answers I've gotten are, "Because marriage ruins what we have" or "For what? We've been living together, we've got children, we're happy. What's a piece of paper saying that we're now married going to change?"
It often amazes me how some women who were once those little girls that dreamed of one day getting married, having babies, and planning their "happily-ever-afters" have now switched to getting pregnant, living with the one that impregnated them, and settling for playing housewife, instead of being just that, the wife of the house. Not the co-owner, but the wife. Or on the contrary, moving in a man with no set goals or plans of prosperity, but someone who planted a seed in you and now has some sort of ownership towards what was once just yours because you've allowed that. And also, there are those that claim to be entirely happy, without a doubt and nothing in this world could change that, not even a piece of paper...
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed
This couple is said to have been happily together for 28+ years, 2 kids, never married, and now planning to split after Tweed is reported to have "had enough." Well if any of you have ever seen the show, featuring the couple and their children, you'll see the pair (him, happy... her, not so much) and their kids somewhat suffering from the situation. He lives the life of a rockstar and she is at wits end trying to trust that when he's out, he's being faithful and true to her, but honestly... the fact that the pair are not married, nor have ever been, gives more incentives and entitlement to him being able to do whatever he wants. And in all actuality, he can.
Not one to judge, but since when does NOT being married to someone that you've been with for years and years on end, give a person the right on what their significant other can and cannot do? No vows are being broken if they do date someone else. It's not adultery and it's not a sin if they find love elsewhere. Does that significant other actual owe it to the person they are dating an explanation of where they've been and have been up to? I've heard this response to questions that go down that tunnel, "What are you, my wife? I don't have to tell you a thing if I choose not to."
I can't say who or what defines what a family is, but I've been there and done that and there is no way I'm going back to that lifestyle. And I only did it for a couple of years.
Here's more information on some straight couples opting for a domestic partnership: www.unmarriedamerica.org/members/news/2004/April-DP/many_straight_couples_opt_for_domestic_partnership.htm
Ok. Im retweeting! Thanks for sending me the link.
ReplyDeleteWell using their situation you'd think one party would have enough respect for another. Personally I could not sit in a relationship for 28 years hoping for something to change. Remember that the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results." Even though it's her fault for settling in the relationship, it's their fault together for not creating boundaries and having an understanding as to what is and is not acceptable.
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