Why do people often equate everyone’s happiness to marriage and kids?

[Tinana]

why is it often generalized in particular to women. Don’t get me wrong having a family is an amazing thing and having kids long term can be fulfilling. But I just never understand the one size fit all situation. Especially when people start asking what if when you’re older without kids. Who told them that that makes everyone happy. That getting married is for everyone? People have different goals and aspirations and different things that make them happy. I just feel like at the end of the day choose your happiness. Because I get tired of hearing moms and dads making this statement to their children. “Im with him for you guys.” Why can’t people choose to put their happiness first and other people learn to mind their business.

[Anonymous]

At your age they may not be what you’re looking for. But as people get older they tend to want that, especially a lot of women who were so career focused that they realized they’re at that stage of life where they wonder if it’s even still possible to meet a person, get married then have kids. A lot of things I never wanted either at a very young age but your perspective on life changes as you get older. A lot of women tend to realize that’s in their late 20’s, early 30’s. Especially when many of their girlfriends have found someone, started a family yet they’re still single. Because honestly yes being successful is awesome I get that but it means nothing really w out someone to share that joy w.

[RealMarek]

They say this because of seeing so many people, men and women alike but especially women, who are intensely regretful about not having a family later in life. I’m seeing the women my age who decided against children due to career, being too picky about men, or, more often than one would think, to “save the planet,” and most of them are intensely unhappy about it.

[likelyOK]

I get what ur saying but the career thing is mainly to blame on American Capitalism, this is one of the few “1st world” countries that doesn’t offer paid maternal leave and it’s ridiculous companies need to make it easy to have children. If we really were a country that valued family we would have free healthcare for pregnant women and children and paid maternal leave. Even with two incomes the financial strain on couples makes it difficult to have children and maintain a balance.

[RealMarek]

@likelyOK Well, yes, America is run by managerial elites, and they have favored megacorporations that require their highly paid employees to be mobile and to work very long hours. And these elites and corporations definitely have reason to discourage family life for two reasons: families distract from work and the family as an institution is the last potential node of resistance against the state. As for not having paid leave and public healthcare, the US will never have it as long as it shoulders the burden of defending its global empire. Europe, Canada, and Japan are free-riding on our taxes and inflationary monetary policy. Worse, if our elite were not so corrupt and contemptuous of the American people, we could have health care affordable enough for most people to be able to afford on their own.

[likelyOK]

Agreed

[TrueConfection]

All I can say it's that I swore I never wanted kids and wasn't sure about marriage. Then, I wanted to get married and the first time my husband and I didn't use protection, I was pregnant. I absolutely loved being pregnant and had several in a row. My kids are the greatest and most magical part of my life. I never knew my life was so empty until I became a mom. ❤❤❤❤

[Guy13]

mostly because we were designed with the Purpose to reproduce and populate the world. We were also designed with the Form and Function to carry out that Purpose. So, since we are Intelligently Designed in this manner, it is a primary innately designed urge and knowing. Whether we act upon it or not is another matter all together. We can not deny that it is self-evident...

[Andres77]

It’s a common goal. For many but not everyone

[maximumpower]

Sources?
In my experience, that is NOT the standard.

[Tinana]

I’m Nigerian it’s a standard here

[OddBeMe]

Longtime trope by ad agencies because families are good for business. Both govt biz and corporate biz.

[Dargil]

Not everyone does but it is a good outlook