Here is my 2 cents worth.

If I could do it all over again, I would stay single and just live off the money that I have. Marriage it too expensive and our divorce laws make it costly to leave.

If a women loves you enough to marry you, she should marry you only for you and should agree to a Pre-nup.

At my age I have learned that you can't ever satisfy a woman. She will always want more than she has no matter how much better off she is than her friends or family.

Staying single and having a companion is the best thing to do.
That way, you won't be so lonely and the excitement will be with you much longer than if you were to get married. And if things don't work out, just find a new one. You won't have to give her half or pay any alimony.

What if you want children?

Narwhal:
I don't think I wrote that it had anything to do with ignorance, only that it had something to do with Southern culture.
I'll take it as an insult that you think I'm Ward Cleaver.

I think the unselfishness, and sanctions idea make sense but they aren't incompatible with my explanation either. Selflessness and sanctions are applied unevenly in societies in which men and women are not equal. Patriarchal marriages tend to give more benefits to men than they give to women, so women end up being the more selfless partner in those kinds of marriage relationships.
But religion combined with egalitarian marriage relationships would also seem to have an ameliorating effect in times of conflict.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I think there are plenty of people having kids without getting married. Yes, I know kids need both parents in a loving home environment. That's why I would not have kids unless I really felt that my partner was one that I could live with and be content.

You took the words right out of my mouth!!

I'd pick married and poor. But looking at "assets", you can't put an amount on a loving family. You will always have them. A single rich guy could lose his shirt, then he'd be completely empty.

Oh yeah, I recently turned 39 and am currently single.

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

IMO life is empty without the pitter patter of kids feet running around the house. The loving look that a child gives you is priceless.

Personally I don't see why a person has to be poor is the US, if anything a marriage should strengthen a guys earning potential.

I am not condoning this practice.
I would never have kids, if I am at a point of having kids with my companion, I would marry her first.

Huh?
In english, please

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I'm 48 and single, I've made my choice. I've seen too many lazy women out there that treat men solely as a source of sperm and child support.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

Wait a minute! What does the need for having 2 parents around have to do with marriage? Why does JamesAMG need to get married to have kids? Why isn't it equally as good for two long term committed companions to have kids as it is for married people to have kids?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

And giving me some rest? Excellent!


1) It's her money so I have nothing to say about it.

2) He's my best friend, rather her spend it on him than a stranger!

__________________
1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


=========================

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

Man, have you been hanging out with the wrong women. I guess I found a rare one, if what you say is true.
But then she came from a strong religous family, rooted in strong family values.

(he scores! )

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

YIKES!

English translation:
Religion helps devout Wiccan lesbian couples stay together.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

LOL So does peyote (I hear it goes nice with a game on the Ouija)