Well to my mind it works like this, men will fulfill enough of their goals by thirty to decide at that point to check marriage off their list. Then there are a series of other goals which seem to amount to nest feathering for the next goal which is to have kids. Then there is hanging onto steady employment enough to get the kids a good start in life. After that comes retirement and whatever that entails, followed by some sickness (for both) and death (usually the guy first).
The thing is, it’s not about either the man or the woman, there is narcissism enough to go around in both camps, it’s about doing your part and contributing to society. Sure, there is going to be satisfaction in good relationships well maintained, but we all get into trouble if we try to fill the place in our lives reserved for God with another person.
Paul, for the record, was living in times when bbq’d church leaders were the lighting option of choice for Caesars garden parties.
Stop thinking about men-and-women. Marriage has not been about them for 40 years. Read your state’s marriage license. It’s a contract between you and the state wherein both parties must agree to the state’s terms, jurisdiction and judgment.
Amen, amen, a thousand times. Marriage is to God, and requires an opposite sex partner.