Just One Single Question:

[wtnhunt]

Re: Just One Single Question:

Well popgun, I am not really that old compared to some of you guys. Guess I dont really understand it either. Seems people are just not brought up the same as they used to be. My wife and I did not live together before we got married. Will encourage my children to have values just the same.

[buckee]

Re: Just One Single Question:

[ QUOTE ]

but I am going to be sure we have all of our differences worked out before.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your going to be waiting a long, long time ...LOL

My wife and I have been together for 29 years, and still don't have our differences worked out.

But, we love eachother, and can see past our differences.

[tallone]

Re: Just One Single Question:

Well maybe not ALL of them. I know there will always be differences if not it would be a boring relationship. Besides you need a good arguement every once in a while so you can have good make-ups. She is finally coming to terms with my hunting so it might not be much longer.

[Tominator]

Re: Just One Single Question:

I think Union has some excellent points.

Also, common law marriages aren't recognized in a fair amount of states, including Ohio.

[doughboy1956]

Re: Just One Single Question:

Great Question pop. We have been married going on 37 years and i would not have it any other way.

[popgun]

Re: Just One Single Question:

I’m not really surprised by the comments so far to this thread, and I don’t want to kill the thread by responding to a discussion that I started.

Most of the responses have been from those who are married and glad that they are.

Maybe those of us in this category are more comfortable discussing a subject, knowing that we are not in the center of the discussion.

Just to agitate the discussion a little more, I thought I might throw a little more into the mix.

Surely the fear of child support wouldn’t be a factor in the non-marriage of couples, because if there are children, there would automatically be child support, regardless whether the couple was married or not.

We still haven’t heard from anyone who is unmarried, but has children.

I hope you are aware that there is no such thing as a marriage penalty tax.

I know that you can file your taxes as “unmarried head of household” and get a larger tax refund.

Could this be a reason for not tying the knot?

I filled out a tax return for one couple last year that qualified as unmarried head of household and also qualified for earned income tax credit.

They received a lot more of a refund in taxes than they had even paid in.

Of course that means they got a part of what many of us had to pay in, above what was already deducted from our regular salaries.

I think there would be no reason you could not get health insurance coverage for your children, but what about your live-in-girlfriend?

Could it be the fear of spousal support or alimony?

Unless the wife has been staying at home doing nothing to contribute the family’s income over a period of years, and has been pampered and spoiled during the course of the union, the judge usually doesn’t award more than a few months of support payments.

I also don’t understand living together as husband and wife, but remaining unmarried until you can afford the fancy ring and wedding your woman has always dreamed about.

Do you think that living together without the benefit of marriage was all a part of her big dream?

Don’t you realize that everyone who attends the wedding already knows about your relationship?

Who could you possibly fool?

Do you want your children in the wedding party?

I’m still confused.

….popgun

[BowJoe]

Re: Just One Single Question:

I say to each their own. I noticed how nobody on here says whether they had premarital relations or not but I understand that that is extremely personal and don't expect an answer. I do however wonder what the number is of did to didn't. I am willing to bet the did is a lot higher than the didn't. SO what difference does it make? If you did and weren't married then that's the same as living together and not being married. Like I said, it's not a new concept it's just talked about more openly than it would have been 30 yrs ago.

[Steven]

Re: Just One Single Question:

I'm not married, and I really don't understand marriage. I know there's a religious tie to it, and as a non-religious person, I geuss I just don't get it. I see no problem with living together or having kids without marriage. As long as the love's there, that's really what matters, unless you really want to file taxes jointly and share health insurance.

How does actually getting married improve a relationship? I don't see where it does. Since when does getting the government involved make anything better?

I also think people are probably more reluctant to let go of their independance or are more focused on career and really don't have time to commit to a relationship.

As for the original question... why say single with a committed relationship when it's easier to say I have a girlfriend?

The single, married, divorced thing usually appears on legal forms- and nonmarried people do select single. However, in every other aspect of life, if someone asks 'are you single?', you either say 'I'm married', 'I have a girlfriend' or 'yes'. Not 'single in a committed relationship'. If someone were to say that to me I'd just have to make fun of them.