Why is marriage so pushed on people in American society?

[Anonymous]

I'm 41 and unmarried by choice because I have seen no happy people in relationships my whole life. My parents are in a horrible loveless marriage. my sister is having serious reconsideration. My dumbass grandparents put me in a horrible mess because her father didn't like my grandfather and laughed his ass off when my grandfather died in the Vietnam war. Celebrities break up and get divorced all the time. If no one is truly happy why do people want to get married? Why put yourself in a position where you don't really matter to your spouse? Not to mention all the cash you blew on the wedding that takes you 10 years to get back. Society tells us we should be married by 30 and have 2.5 children. Why does it dictate this standard to us? Why doesn't it show us the bad side of it more often?

[BarryLiverstone]

Because in traditional culture of the USA marriage is at the core of the nuclear family. However remember that the USA is a melting pot of many cultures and that marriage does take work from both partners. So it’s been pushed as it helps to be a foundation for raising children but in modernity it’s being challenged and people can find other paths in life.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

The patriarchy wants men to be married, heads of household and making babies. That’s why they push so hard for the nuclear ideal that bests suits that way of life

[TheSpaceGnome]

Most marriages work out, but news only travels when its bad.