*This is a collaborative post*
I've always been a romantic at heart. And when I say romantic, what I really mean is that I want Prince Charming to come riding in on his white charger and sweep me off my feet with romance! We'd have a huge white wedding and then he'd carry me off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
Of course real life brings these dreams of mine promptly back to earth with a humongous bump. Life is no fairy-tale and don't I know it! These days marriage just doesn't seem to be on the top of anyone's agenda anymore.
There's something I've always loved about the notion of belonging to another, taking someone else's name, ring on my finger. I guess I've always loved the idea of being in love, of being needed, of being one half of something special. Knowing that this person is your person. That they've chosen to spend the rest of their days with you. Yeah, yeah call me old fashioned but I prefer to use the word traditional.
Of course many do think differently and I'm not judging in the slightest. Why would I? Many of my closest friends are indeed living with their partners, choosing not to get hitched and are happy as Larry. They've no need for a label or piece of paper to make it 'official'. And in a society now led by women and not just men, girls are really doing it for themselves. So why should a woman lose their surname? Their identity? Why shouldn't the princess do the sweeping off of feet for a change?
Times have certainly changed. Divorce rates are higher than they used to be so it's no wonder that people are more reluctant to take the leap. In a survey carried out by leading lawyers Slater and Gordon, 54% of people have experienced a close family member getting divorced whilst 23% have been divorced themselves. This doesn't actually surprise me. I honestly don't think people necessarily enter marriage with the notion of forever like they used to. It's become too easy to throw in the towel. Surely the very act of taking out a pre-nup suggests that you're expecting the marriage to fail at some point? What ever happened to 'til death do us part'?
Although I do want to get married, it's not something I'd rush into or undertake lightly. When I say 'I do' I only want to do it the once! Marriage - for me - represents love, security and commitment to another and according to www.slatergordon.co.uk I'm not the only one who thinks this. 69% of people believe the biggest benefit to marriage is commitment to a relationship whilst 42% see the increased financial security as the main perk. I do often wonder about the financial and legal implications for those who choose not to wed should things ever go down the pan.
What are your thoughts on marriage? Do you think it’s a necessity in the
21st century?
Righto, if anyone needs me, I'll be sat right here, waiting patiently for my Prince Charming to get his arse in gear! ;) In the meantime, hope you all have a pleasant weekend!
You raise some interesting points! I don't think marriage is necessary these days, but financially if you're living together you need to protect yourself. I also think divorce has become too easy and I think rather than just granting a divorce, couples therapy and mediation should be offered first, maybe a trial seperation, before making that final, definite jump. x www.aimeeraindropwrites.co.uk x
ReplyDelete