How do you value marriage?

[Swollerbear]

I value my marriage off a different set of values rather than selfish desires or just happiness. That's a weak foundation to base a marriage in my opinion. Marriage forces a person to grow in ways that they never thought they had to. It takes a lot of effort to work together in harmony, and in order to reach that, you have to overcome flaws that would have not surfaced if you were single. I've become a better man through my marriage. It's made me more selfless, humble, patient, and wise. There were a ton of growing pains associated within that character development. I'm sure glad I went through it though. I wouldn't be the man I am today if it weren't for all those arguments and fierce negotiations throughout the years. It's brought me closer to God. It also created a stronger romantic bond between my wife and I. So no, marriage isn't all sunshine's and rainbows, so it doesn't make sense to value it that way. I don't pay too much attention to the other things. I enjoy the happiness when it comes, but I don't expect it.

[OfMiceandMen]

I have always been a one-woman guy. I would never be with someone, start a new relationship, or be in a relationship with someone, and start seeing someone else. That whole philosophy continues through to the marriage stage.

If I start a committed relationship, I am committed all the way through with that person, marriage certificate, or not. If I expect that respect in life, I should return the respect.

I know a lot of women like to be married, but marriages these days are so fickle. I don't need some license from the province to tell me how to behave. If we agree to be together, then I will always be there for her, better than any license agreement with the province, and often more committed than most guys who are in marriages today.

My word is my word and my bond.

[Anonymous]

Everything you describe here are the benefits of any healthy, committed, monogamous, lasting relationship, not just marriage. Adding modern marriage to the equation harms men, but it helps women because it gives them power to destroy a man's life, and hold him hostage with that threat.

There is no question a healthy, happy, lasting marriage benefits both men and women, but the reality is that most marriages are not that way today. Half end in divorce, and some don't divorce but are nevertheless unhappy and unhealthy in many ways. And when marriages do end in divorce, men are harmed more than women. Divorce actually benefits women and harms men, which is why women file 80% of divorces.

The reality is that in the big picture of the game of marriage and divorce today, women benefit and men lose. And that is what is destroying the institution of marriage, which is undermining the core of western society in countless insidious ways.

[LazerBean]

I value my marriage a lot. I think marriage has deep value initially, but that value is often diminished by people of low values.

[Guy13]

Very much. I could never cheat.

[Wallythewalrus]

My wife and I have been married for 4yrs and together for 6. Just this last week she worked nights and I was completely lost without her. I never felt so alone in my life. I actually missed her bitching at me!

[KrakenAttackin]

Just wait pal. There is at least a 64% chance she will bounce and take half of everything, the house, car, and steal the kids from you. "Can't happen to me" you think. Well, I have news for you. Every man who ever got married thought "it won't happen to me".

[Twalli]

I like living with a person for at least a year before I decide on even proposing. I want to see low and bad days before deciding if they're a life partner.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

You make a commitment, you stick by it. If you can't, don't bother getting married.

[In_Trance]

I don't