Guardian article on marriage

[irnbruguzzler]

co.uk/lifeandstyle/marriage

Bit of feminism bashing and myth pushing re gender pay gap but does discuss the demise of marriage, if from a USA pov

argh this piece flummoxed me, the US view on dating/marriage is just so, well, 19th century?? the idea that you have to be married to have social status... i think over here we still think of it as being about showing you love and are lovable don't we? admittedly a view that is not without flaws itself, but the idea you are still a failure as a bachelor/spinster is not something i recognise, in my middle-class anglo-saxon community anyway.

I think there is pressure on women to couple up. The phrase "are you STILL single?" springs to mind.

maybe it's just my own POV - i know several people who are single and 40+ in my circle, M and F, hetero and gay. a couple i am sad for because i know they desperately want to be in a loving partnership and some, start a family. the others i know are forging their own lives, might be open to partnership but are being true to themselves, one just is certain she wants to be single and is happy. i don't think anyone judges them for those decisions. sometimes i am jealous of their freedom! - altho i am certain having a family was what was best for me in the long run.