The New Normal: Singleness in America

BreakPoint ^ | 11 Dec 03 | Chuck Colson

[LisaMalia]

Marriage isn't about taking. It's about giving. That's why it's so worthwhile, when done right.

You, sir, are a real man. Wish there more single men out there with your mindset.

[madprof98]

There's a wonderful club you would like. From the sounds of it, many Freepers are already members, and you would fit right in with them.

[Jim Cane]

"Office Space" is one of the all time greatest movies no one ever saw in the theaters.

[najida]

First time I'd done a plumbing job at all, though, so I was pretty darn proud of myself! Silly, I know...

Oh no darlin', it isn't silly at all! I am showing people the water lines and outdoor faucets that I put at my house (I mean, dug trenches and everything) as if I built the pyramids.

Be proud, and if they look at ya funny, then you know they don't know the joys of do it yourself plumbing (and PVC glue).

[Jim Cane]

LOL!

I've got yer club right here, pal. Why I outta....

[Centurion2000]

I see a growing number of women walking away and leaving the husband AND kids

interesting.

[Hodar]

What happens if your wife can't take the pill for medical reasons?

Again, intellectual honests, please. For the sake of convenience, reliability and cost; the pill is for all intensive purposes the de-facto form of birth control used. The condom may be used, and in that case (the ONLY form of BC available to men) the man has responsibility. However, the statement stands, many children are around today because the woman lied or deceived the male that she was using BC, when it was known to be a bold faced lie.

In the realm of a marriage, this lie results in the husband taking on responsiblities he may have felt that were financially inopportune, or were simply unwise from the relationship perspective. When the laws support a party in deceit, and provide no legal recourse or redress to the affected party; the system is wrong.

[Texan5]

I repeat-get to know a woman VERY well-like maybe get serious about your best friend (female)-after all, you know all each others' dirty little secrets, hopes, and aspirations (and agendas). I only married again because he was my best friend-wouldn't trust any other man that much...a friend is not only not likely to change radically, they are just so much more comfortable to be with.

[Jim Cane]

I show my appreciation by helping my husband with the yardwork and gutter cleaning.

Now what husbands REALLY appreciate is...

That reminds me of a joke: What's the difference between a wife and a hoover?

[USAF_TSgt]

Good luck to you, RC, the one you search for is out there. My wife had to wait 34 years (I lucked out, I only had to wait 25 years) to find a suitable spouse. We met in college, taking evening courses (college is much different in the evening compared to day courses -- day courses are generally younger folks who don't really care why they're attending, mommy and daddy are paying; while evening courses are the older, working folks who WANT to be there).

[LisaMalia]

Office Space" is one of the all time greatest movies no one ever saw in the theaters

This is one thing we agree on. I've seen it two times, and never laughed so hard in my life.

[Texan5]

You might also consider dating outside the city, in the small rural communities. I live in one, as does Gabz, and we'll be the first to tell you that good values and morals are alive and well out here in the boonies, more so, I believe than in the major metropolitan areas where you are.

[CajunConservative]

Heh...me too. Except it was the basket assembly, or whatever you call the part that goes between the sink and the drain. Cost me a little more than $10, 'cause I had to buy the tool, but not much. First time I'd done a plumbing job at all, though, so I was pretty darn proud of myself! Silly, I know...

Be proud of yourself. I have done that before. My dad died a few months ago and I have ended up with all his tools :) I am quite proud of my tool collection. I inherited the house and all that goes with home ownership, being single, don't have the kiddos to do the slave labor around the yard ;) j/k. I love yard work and gardening.

When I built a commercial kitchen for a catering business I nearly went to war with the plumbing inspector. The codes changed after we started building and I needed the specs so I could pass inspection and the planning and development office did not want to share the information. The plumbing inspector made the statement that I would not be able to understand what I read. I told him I managed to graduate from college I think I could figure out the plumbing specs.

I think I figured out why they don't want the average person to get copies of the building and plumbing codes. They really aren't that difficult to understand and implement and the unions would lose lots of money on jobs.

[Hodar]

That law was changed here some years ago-if he asks for a paternity test, she has to do it. And if it isn't his kid, he does NOT have to pay, (nor should he!)

I would support a mandatory DNA testing before the birth certificate is filed. That way, if a husband wishes assume the responsibility of raising a child; it is a decision made with the full facts and implications made known to him from the beginning.

The way things presently stand, many fathers are paying child support for children that are not theirs. This is the only legally sanctioned form of fraud on the books. The party that lied, who through the active action of deceit and deception has prospered from this is the woman. Based solely upon the word of the woman, a man must pay 25% of his income for 18 years. If the word is proven to be a lie, the man's only recourse is to sue the 'recipient' of teh payments, the only innocent in this whole mess - the child.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You get burned a few dozen times, and you start to realize that women are pigs for the most part. Nice looking pigs that you want to touch in an iterative process, but never, oh never live with.

Burned a few dozen times? Impressive. Is anything left of it?

Why do you think he's so...touchy? ;)

You get burned a few dozen times, and you start to realize that women are pigs for the most part. Nice looking pigs that you want to touch in an iterative process, but never, oh never live with.

Burned a few dozen times? Impressive. Is anything left of it?

[NYC GOP Chick]

LOL. Sure. As if a lady would want a has-been germ laden lothario.

Well, you're no fun! ;)

[Gabz]

It seems to me there are quite a few of us women around here capable of taking care of ourselves and appreciate a good man, and not all of us "taken"!!!!!

I admit there are things you do that I don't even think I would want to try (you and your power tools!!!) but if I can, I always try to help hubby out - even if the only help I can give him is to keep the daughter out of his way!!!

I would like to get the lights up this evening, as a family project, so that is why I put dinner in the crock pot and am painting windows by myself - although I know a 5yo that will be wanting to "help" when she gets home from school in an hour!!!

[CajunConservative]

I don't know. Most of my friends are pretty handy too. I learned out of necessity but I like being able to fix something if needed. I enjoy both housework, I like to organize things, and outside work. I am already getting itchy fingers to dig in the dirt for spring gardening. I live in south Louisiana and spring comes early.

[Texan5]

Well said, and happy anniversary!

[Hodar]

Why do you think he's so...touchy? ;)

But, consider what he is saying. For example, if a guy won't date a girl because she isn't thin enough - he's a pig. But when is the last time you heard of a super-model dating a hard working construction worker? When is the last time you saw a really attractive woman with an average looking, working stiff. Typically, you see the desireable women with rich guys - face it, Hugh Hefner isn't a super model, but he has attractive women flocking around him 24/7. Same with Donald Trump, just about any rock star, ect.

Now consider the attractive women who go for the 'bad boys', and ignore the hard working 'nerds'. The saying 'Good guys finish last' is a stereotype for a really good reason; because for the most part it is true. Women flock to alpha-males, and alpha-males tend to be arrogant, intimidating and powerful. Nice guys are the antithema to the alpha-male.

Also, when is the last time you heard of guys playing 'head games' with thier girlfriend, all based from some lame article in a magazine? When is the last time you heard of a guy asking a girl out, simply to make another girl jealous? When is the last time you heard of a guy flirting with a girl, and promising to do something for her if she would only do buy him something first? Simply stated, straight men don't do that. So, when a guy gets used a few times; they get bitter. That's natural, and shouldn't be at all unexpected.