Are Men Really on a "Marriage Strike"?

[CAM]

I read somewhere that men are actively resisting the idea of marriage. Anyone know anything about that?

Thoughts? Feelings? Discuss amongst yourselves...

[vashti]

Good. Think of all the money you will save on wedding gifts.

[Glyph]

Hell, I'm a woman and I'm on a marriage strike.

My views are that marriage is for naught other than "break-up insurance". It changes nothing about the relationship while you're in it, it doesn't actively add anything to it except insurance benefits, tax breaks and hospital visitation rights - all things which should be available for non-married couples (hell, tax breaks just for getting married are flat bullshit and should be abolished altogether).

To me, marriage only scares people out of splitting up. I think of what I'd rather have - someone who's having issues with our relationship, but is only staying with me because "we took a vow" or, worse, because he's afraid of the monetary/legal repercussions of splitting up? Or someone who WANTS to stick it out for no other reason than he loves me?

I don't need a vow and a ring and a big, foofy ceremony to feel wanted or loved by someone. I like knowing that a person could walk away without any penalty whatsoever, but chooses not to. On the flipside, I like knowing that if a relationship has really gone downhill, I don't have to spend money and (what I have even less of) time to sever ties.

[Gigabitch]

I actually feel like getting married for the first time in my life, and I think my bf is right there with me. We're taking it slow, but we're both pretty sure that's where we're heading.

He seems really into it.

[Junket]

I dunno.

I have intentions on gettin' married eventually.