Why are you married?

You don't need to understand it. As long as it makes them happy, it's not hurting you. Don't get married if you don't want to. Let others do what they want.

Because we were building our lives together and wanted to be one team rather than two individuals. And we like each other more than we like other people.

Why?

Because he asked and I was pregnant , and it seemed the best course of action at the time.

1979 and my dad was earning £4500 per annum in London but got offered in Glasgow with a salary of £6000 per annum. My mum was 20 years old and she and dad had been dating for around 16 months. My mum was also just completing her first year at midwifery college. My mum would have to go all the way back to the beginning of first year again rather than second year in Glasgow unless the move was because her husband changed jobs. They arranged their wedding in six weeks and will have been married 45 years in August this year. What has age got to do with the success or failure of a marriage.

Because when you marry it’s not just 2 people coming together it’s two families. Marriage is a signal to your family &friends that this person is now ‘forever’. Obviously you both know it but no one else does. Marriage is the communication event.

I don’t feel superior but I do feel a sense of accomplishment in that I’ve reached my goal of finding a life partner who feels the same about me and made the commitment to build a life together. Note that I say MY goal- it is not a goal that everyone has. As well as falling in love and wanting to celebrate that with people we love, a legally binding ceremony is just good sense, particularly if you are planning to have children and may lose earnings because of this. It protects you financially.

I got married because I love my partner! But also because when we met in 2013 we couldn't legally get married, we could just have a civil partnership. I grew up thinking I'd always be "other", so jumped at the chance to get married as a same-sex couple!
Far from feeling superior to anyone, I just feel grateful that we have the same choices as every other couple - a luxury not afforded in many parts of the world.

Also, it was an excuse for the party of a lifetime! Bloody LOVE a wedding.

You poor thing

It still happens of course but it's rarer.

We married because it wasn’t enough to just live together any more. I wanted to be his wife and he wanted to be my husband. We aren’t religious, we haven’t got any money or property and we knew we weren’t going to be having children, so no legal reasons. And no pressure from family either. My DM is not a fan of marriage in general and in laws are together but never married.

No insecurities on either side. Neither of us wear a ring and I didn’t change my name or use Mrs as a title. And neither of us are under any illusions that a marriage licence will stop someone from cheating if that’s what they want to do. We’re faithful because we want to be, not because we’re married.

Absolutely not superior. What goes on in anyone else’s relationship doesn’t affect me in the slightest. And what is there to be superior about? It’s not as though you have to pass an exam or win a race or climb a mountain before they let you get married. Anyone can do it. And you don’t have to be in a happy or healthy relationship to do it either. It’s not an achievement.

@MrsTerryPratchett I was made homeless with my children as you describe. I was married.

We don't wear wedding rings either.

Because they no longer fit...

We've been married nearly 39 years.

I think the vows say they are a token of love and commitment to one another , rather than a signal to other people that you aren't available.

This.

And no I don’t feel superior why would I?

What's wrong with wedding bands (I assume you mean the ring variety)?

Fingers crossed it's the same for us! It wasn't for religious/cultural reasons for us either, we just wanted the commitment and we both want children young. Congratulations on your happy marriage!

Why? The normal reasons: romantic, legal and financial reasons both during the marriage and in the case of the death of me or dh.

Nothing to do with insecurity from either of us.

Nothing to do with any perceived superiority either.

Plenty of wealthy men will pay for that. They won't bet 50% of their estate on it though.

Yeah, avoiding marriage simply on the grounds of being aged between 20 and 30 is a really daft idea. If you don't want to do it yet then by all means don't, but the fact is that being married is different to being unmarried and some people in their 20s benefit from this. Frankly, I can't understand why someone wouldn't get how this might be relevant for a 26 year old.

similar to me, I didn’t want to live together before marriage and got married in my early 20’s. This was not for religious or cultural reasons but because I wanted there to be a difference between being boyfriend/girlfriend to husband/wife. We had been together several years, very much in love and wanted to make a lasting commitment to each other.

Nothing to do with legal status, religion, family, expectations or children just because we loved each other.

still blissfully happy nearly 15 years later!

I don't think people should avoid marriage just because they're in their 20s. I met DH whrn I was 18, still managed a degree/year abroad/travel, and we're still together after 20 years. It's made no difference to our lives that we got married at 24 as opposed to 34. I was never going to get to 26 and decide hey, I'll backpack round Brazil because I'm not married yet!

Because we fell in love and we still are after 32 years! It really was that simple.

Because we love each other, have children, have a house and have joint finances!

Practical reasons.
Superior, no. More secure, definitely.
Married for 20 years, child free. 😊🍿

I got married when I was 21, DH was 25. Main reason was because we wanted to, but also because we were ready to try for a baby and wanted to be married beforehand.

Unmarried couples with children are more likely to split up than married couples.

I don't believe this is because getting married helps you to avoid splitting up, it's more likely because the man is not fully committed to the relationship and doesn't want to marry you.

If your man isn't committed enough to marry you, don't have children with him unless you have sufficient financial means to raise them alone. Your legal status is not nearly as secure as that of a married woman.