As someone else said, your statistics are a bit old. I am 36, and I was a junior in college when some of those studies were done. DAYUM.

So basically, they do not reflect the CURRENT crop of 20 and 30 something couples AT ALL. And we ARE generally a less traditional than our parents were at our age.

<<<As someone else said, your statistics are a bit old. I am 36, and I was a junior in college when some of those studies were done. DAYUM. <<

Can you show me some recent statistics that prove these wrong?

Dude, even if we can't find any recent statistics it does not mean that your older ones are still relevant.

<<<Dude, even if we can't find any recent statistics it does not mean that your older ones are still relevant.>>

Sure does! Infact, pretty recently, there was an article in the Boston Herald reaffirming those statistics. Dr. Phil recently quoted it on his website.

This is the funniest thing that I have read on GC. I am going to use it at the first opportunity possible. :p

Ok, let's do a case study on me. I've been divorced twice. I didn't live with either of them before marrying them. Therefore, 100% of marriages which don't begin with cohabitation end in divorce!
read the sarcasm thread if you don't get this

Actually, had I lived with either of them first, I wouldn't have married them! Oh, and I was engaged within 2 years the second time. The first time, we thought it wise to finish college first.

Here's the bottom line: If your needs aren't being met and your partner doesn't support your successes, it's a bad relationship and you should get out.

Oh, good. I'm going to check and see if Miss Cleo has it on hers too, then I am sure that's all the backup the whores of GC living with their bfs will need!!

and heeeeyyyyy, Munchkin, when are you going to introduce us to Mr. Munchkin? :p ;)

Wow with all of these statistics being thrown about I must be doomed for divorce. Dating for 5.5 years, cohabitation for 3...crap, why get married? Can someone get me a lawyer, I need a pre-nup...STAT!:rolleyes: Anyone who has written a paper knows you can find statistics to prove just about any point you want to prove if you work it a certain way.

Possibly the most realistic statement ever posted on GC.


I heard a couple years ago that most strong relationships (note I didn't say marriages) have a "do or die" moment. In other words, if there's something that the two of you disagree about (work, etc), it's time to draw the line in the sand and say that he either accepts you as you are, or you're done.

FWIW, this happened to me prior to hearing about the phenomenon. After a particularly long (and loud!) argument, I told mr. honeychile to GO, that's what he did best, and literally slammed the door on him (he had a hard time explaining the bruises the next day!). I completely put him out of my mind & life - well, as much as possible, considering we were on a committee together. It took him a couple months, but when he came back, he was all about commitment.

And if he doesn't move soon, I'm predicting another door slamming night... No man respects a doormat. And you shouldn't stoop to being one!!

holy fucking crap . . . do me a quick favor and address the points I raised earlier.

Or do you not realize that I have the same job that Dr. Phil had before he became a soccer mom celebrity?

Oh shnap Rob.

I just realized that you truly are the next Dr. Phil.

Just think about it.
Seriously.

Do you believe the New York Post is fact too?

I want to know what Dr. Phil's old job was.

I think he was a cabana boy.

For someone in their late teens/early 20's? I don't buy that for one minute. Now, that doesn't mean that all someone wants is a "sex buddy" either. Can't there be some middle ground?


It's also a bigger chunk out of your life if you decide you HAVE to marry someone because you've been dating for 2,3,4 or any number of years. A man who is truly in love with a woman also wouldn't force marriage down her throat if he or she wasn't ready for it. Truly in love does not always equal marriage for everybody.

You obviously feel comfortable judging, because that's what you're doing. There are things to take into account with all of these statistics. Social norms have changed (it's more acceptable to openly live together pre-marriage than in years past). Who is responding in these surveys, what are the ages and locations of the respondents? Who is to say that living with someone before marriage, learning more about their day-to-day life and quirks won't make you more prepared for marriage. Who is to say that finding out whether you can or can't live with a person before you marry is important?

ETA: Rob = Dr. Phil? Brilliant.