| Deciding to get married is one of life's biggest | | | | approach to raising children is much easier. I don't think |
| decisions. If you and your partner have had discussions | | | | any single parent would argue that having a spouse |
| about getting married or are thinking about getting | | | | that is willing and able to help out with housework and |
| married but are unsure of the others feelings, you may | | | | child rearing would be a godsend. |
| find it helpful to list out some advantages and | | | | Now we will list some possible disadvantages of |
| disadvantages. This can be a great way to discover | | | | getting married. |
| feelings and concerns. | | | | |
| I will list out a few advantages to get you started: | | | | 1. Freedom to come and go - some people fear that |
| | | | after they get married, they will lose their autonomy. |
| 1. Marriage can provide long term commitment, security, | | | | Having to check with your spouse every time you |
| and support. - A marriage based on love and mutual | | | | want to go shopping or join a friend for lunch sounds a |
| respect where both partners have committed to love | | | | bit suffocating. However, a marriage built on trust will |
| honor and cherish each other can endure even the | | | | overcome most of these situations. |
| most difficult challenges. When you are standing up in | | | | 2. Living with pet peeves - Some of the most difficult |
| front of your family and friends making a promise and | | | | pets to live with, are the pet peeves! Everyone has |
| a vow to another human being, it inspires us to do our | | | | their personality defects. Sometimes those little things |
| best to make good on that promise. | | | | like leaving the toilet seat up, or drinking milk directly |
| 2. Marriage can offer financial benefits - In most | | | | from the carton can really get under your skin. You |
| marriages, both partners combine their money | | | | should also be aware that there are things you may |
| managing talents and financial assets into one. There | | | | do that drive your spouse equally crazy! |
| are several variations and debate over which way | | | | 3. diplomacy and compromise - This may be the most |
| works best, but generally, pooling together your | | | | broad and difficult topic covered. If you have lived on |
| financial resources is an added benefit of marriage. | | | | your own for any period of time, and have gotten use |
| Also, you may benefit in areas of taxes, heath care, | | | | to doing things your own way, you may find the |
| and home ownership. During times of hardship or | | | | constant compromising and negotiating with your |
| sickness, having someone who can help and support | | | | spouse difficult. He may want to watch sports at the |
| you financially is invaluable. | | | | same time you want to watch your favorite show. He |
| 3. Social and community acceptance - Most people | | | | may think his old baseball jersey or his big eight point |
| and communities won't directly discriminate against you | | | | buck would look great hanging on the living room wall. |
| if you are not married and living together. But let's just | | | | Right where you wanted to put your favorite piece of |
| say that many more doors tend to be opened up for | | | | artwork. |
| married couples that may not be opened for | | | | 4. When the going gets tough, you can't just get going |
| non-married persons. Socially, you will find that married | | | | - Many times during your marriage you will wish you |
| couples like to mingle with other married couples. | | | | were not married. You will just want to pack up and |
| 4. Raising children as a team - Unfortunately, single | | | | leave. But the commitment of marriage really forces |
| parent homes have become very prevalent in our | | | | you to work a little harder at getting through the difficult |
| culture today. That doesn't mean that they are a good | | | | times. |
| thing however. Ask any single parent how easy it is | | | | 5. Your new extended family - When you marry, it |
| raising a child, or children on their own. My guess is that | | | | really is a "package deal". You don't just get your new |
| they will bombard you with stories of parenting | | | | spouse, you get his or her whole family. Dysfunctional |
| difficulties, lost days at work, daycare nightmares, etc. | | | | or not! Personality differences, ethnicity, and religious |
| Also, I am not condemning single parents. on the | | | | beliefs are just some of the things that can make |
| contrary, I salute those dedicated single parents who | | | | getting along with your spouse's family a real challenge. |
| are doing their best to provide for their children | | | | Just do your best and forget the rest. |
| selflessly and diligently. I am just saying that the team | | | | |