As opposed to one of those good divorces?
There are amicable divorces. And I’d rather see people divorce amicably than put themselves and their kids through lifelong hell.
The problem is that people can’t let go of their lower natures to navigate divorce properly, any better than they do navigating marriage.
My issue with SAM is that in my years here, I’ve never seen him miss a single chance to generally condemn marriage as an institution - and women! - whenever he can. That seems like a very unhealthy obsession, and he needs to get over his individual experience, realize that there is more in life than his personal resentments, and GET a life.
As to the point of the thread - I suspect that there are MANY people on this board who started out’living in sin’, and went on to have very long, fulfilling marriages.
I wouldn’t suggest that a young couple do it, but it has worked out fine for many.
(Almost 30 happy years with the same good man, here - and yes, we Did.)