Posted on 01/21/2007 12:38:37 PM PST by Graybeard58
America has reached "the tipping point" on marriage, and The New York Times couldn't be happier. Its analysis of Census data shows 51 percent of women were living without a spouse in 2005, up from 35 percent in 1950.
Through surrogates, the Times celebrated the news as liberating and empowering for women. One single 45-year-old gushed: "Considering all the weddings I attended in the '80s that have ended so very, very badly, I consider myself straight up lucky." Chimed in a 59-year-old divorcee: "A gentleman asked me to marry him and I said no. I told him, 'I'm just beginning to fly again, I'm just beginning to be me. Don't take that away.'" I am woman. Hear me roar.
The Times let not one soul defend marriage, but that's typical of how the news media and popular culture treat society's bedrock institution. They are pessimistic about and hostile to it. They emphasize marital failures, chiefly divorce and domestic violence, rather than its joys and benefits. They bombard the public with messages that marriage isn't worth the time and effort, and that divorce is good for families. This requires them to paper over the incalculable damage divorce has inflicted upon society, especially children.
Copious empirical evidence proves marriage is the best deal for women and men, to the point where a bad marriage is still better than a "good divorce," the ultimate oxymoron. Married women are healthier and wealthier, live longer, have more settled lives with less stress, have less substance abuse, are less prone to risky behavior, and have more sex and more fulfilling sex.
Marriage may not immunize children from social ills, but children of divorce or unwed mothers are at much greater risk of poverty, welfare dependency, crime, academic underachievement and illegal drug abuse. Yet of the 4.1 million babies born in this country in 2004, more than a third were to unmarried women. But the illegitimacy rate is 69.5 percent for black children and 48 percent for Hispanic children. The poverty rate for children of married couples is 8 percent; among single-parent households, it's 35 percent. Cause and effect are unmistakable.
The Times' take on the Census data, however, "suggests that most girls growing up today can look forward to spending more of their lives outside of a traditional marriage," said William Frey, a demographer with the liberal Brookings Institution. Given what most unwed women can expect out of life, "look forward" is a most unfortunate choice of words.
You are soooo sexy.
My opinion is that those who criticize people who never marry are completely grabbed with jealousy.
I would never criticize another for not being married. My best friend who is a year younger than I, has never been married and wants to be badly. She is praying for Mr. Right. I believe most women would rather be happily married than single..... key words...."most" and "happily"
what happened to the girlfriend who told you to get Jake??? (I obviously read your profile!)
Looking for a "Sugar Mama?"
The majority of these women vote for Democrats. The majority of their ex-husbands and never-to-be husbands were Democrats.
I've seen televised reports where they trot out all these women that are happily divorced. These women are full of stories about how much happier they are because, if they have to make a decision concerning the kids or something needs to be done, they can just do it without having to consult or task a husband who's probably going to just screw it up anyway.
For all these women who are full of stories about how awful their last marriage was and what a bumbling lazy idiot he was, I'd like to ask: You made the conscious decision to marry the cad, so what does that say about YOU? (I have asked the same question of guys at work who sit around and complain about how stupid, lazy, and moody their wives are.)
Exactly, If they had put the time and effort into learning who their spouse was before marrying, they would still be married. If it was a mistake then, they should still be able to be friends instead of psychotic ex's.
Whatever, toots. Good luck with that.
In the words of Rodney Dangerfield: "My wife and I had 25 glorious and happy years. Then we met."
But seriously - this editorial writer is on target. It's just that marriage gets no respect.
The Official Freepers' Singles Thread for this week...
Lucky you! I "chose poorly" in my other marriage, but this one's stickin' for nearly 15 years now. :)
Actually, since I was quite the feminist in the late 70's (when I came of age; we all were brainwashed little twits) everyone was very surprised that I ever married at all, because I was off on my own from 17 on.
I like being married, but it certainly depends upon the luck of the draw, or whether you're able to make smart decisions about WHO (whom?) to marry, based upon your own upbringing, or lack thereof.
Now that I'm older (heading toward 50...Eeek!) I know I'll statistically be widowed in the future, but I've planned for that.
Don't be an Old Woman in this day and age without cold, hard cash to get you through. (And you can take that to the bank!)
After almost 4 years (Feb 14 would have been 4 years) we have finally called it quits.
We still share Jakey, but not enough for me, she gets mad because after he leaves me he's not happy and will even sleep on the couch! He's never unhappy with me, it's 24/7 joy because we go for 1-3 mile walks and run in my yard.
Somehow she interprets this that he's is/should be happier with her and the kids?!?!
I'm talking to a breeder about getting a white male standard, this dog comes from champion bloodlines. I'm hoping to get her to see the logic of Jake's preference and get her to take the puppy, if not he will be my puppy and will be Jakey's little brother.
"the incalculable damage divorce has inflicted upon society, especially children."
Forcing people who hate each other to live together benefits children just how?
Same here. LOL
lol
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Nope. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.
When you can, by the jaguar, does he lick his lips?
A woman who cans ... Wow!
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