[Mamzelle]

I think conservative people tend to marry younger--I am of the theory that waiting to pass certain "life milestones" may not be wisdom, even if it is conventional. Once a man sleeps around, how capable of faithfulness is he? He has only demonstrated to himself the commodities that bodies represent, and comes to regard them as exchangeable.

A conservative man is often ready to marry earlier, and a smart conservative gal will pick up on that and make it possible.

Then they have to work out the inevitable changes that take place in any life, and grow together, or grow apart.

The best reliable indicator of being able to sustain a long marriage is similarity in age, class, and values (including spiritual).

If you pick a partner from a messed-up home, hoping to bring about a "rescue"--beware. Children of the dysfunctional marriage tend to create dysfunctional marriages.

I also agree with the assertion that many, many women have a neurotic masochistic streak. This can also emerge in women's relationships with other women, so I don't see how it can be denied, any more than men can deny how many of them struggle with a neurotic attraction to those far younger than them.

[chris1]

I agree. If you look at how men and women typically deal with interpersonal disputes you will see many differences between the two sexes. For example - Two guys get in a fight or argument. Both usually can get along after that with little or no problems. Women - grudges, self doubt, analysis, and the inability to move on from the negative fight.