"Marriage" or "Commitment"?

[Taualumna]

OK, some schools use the term "commitment" in their marriage announcements (in alumni magazines) instead of "marriage" just to be more "PC". Do you that it's a good idea?

[Dionysus]

No.

Is this a Canadian thing?

All the alumni/alumnae magazines I've seen (including those of my own) have never ever used the word "commitment". They use "marriage". I guess I don't have an opinion.

[Taualumna]

I don't know if it's a "Canadian thing" or just Queen's University. My high school uses "marriages" (there has been, so far, one lesbian wedding)

My university publishes a newsletter that gets sent out to all alumni, but they don't publish marriage announcements -- they just try to solicit money.

My old high school publishes an alumnae magazine twice a year and the end section is devoted to class and alumnae notes. Being that it was an all-girls' Catholic school, I doubt that they'd include any alumna who decided to take on a life partner.

[bcdphie]

I have never seen any of my magazines I receive (sorority, uni and high school) use the word commitment.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Taualumna
I don't know if it's a "Canadian thing" or just Queen's University. My high school uses "marriages" (there has been, so far, one lesbian wedding)

I would have to guess as a "Canadian" that the term "commitment" is applied to your "life partner" and that marriage refers to wife/husband... at least from experience.... neither one in any of my Alumn magazine or mailings is given prominence over the other (despite the whole Catholic highschool thing).....

[AchtungBaby80]

A marriage is a marriage, right? "Commitment" can describe it, but you don't necessarily have to be married to be committed, so I think to use this word in place of "marriage" is being too vague.

[GeekyPenguin]

This will never ever happen at Marquette. You get married. Preferably on campus in our gorgeous ass church.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by RACooper
I would have to guess as a "Canadian" that the term "commitment" is applied to your "life partner" and that marriage refers to wife/husband... at least from experience.... neither one in any of my Alumn magazine or mailings is given prominence over the other (despite the whole Catholic highschool thing).....

I think the term was coined about five or six years ago to recognize gay unions as I haven't seen any common law relationships announcments (kinda silly, don't you think? "Jen and Dave decided to permanently move in together and did so quietly on January 5th of this year." Not really worth an annoucement, I don't think).

[Lady Pi Phi]

I don't know why people bother to make an announcement. The people who would care I am assuming would already know because you told them or it was through word of mouth. People who don't know you don't care or people who you haven seen or spoken to in years probably don't care either.

If I told people on this board that I was getting married, I would probably get some congratulations and best wishes, but I doubt any of you would get overly excited, like "woohoo, Lady Pi Phi, whom I don't know is getting married to some guy I don't know! I'm bursting with fruit flavour!!!"

I think people should use marriage or commitment how they see fit. Why get hung up about a term. 50% of those "marriages" or "commitments" will end in divorce or seperation anyway.

[Taualumna]

Tradition, Lady Pi Phi. People are going to wonder where the section went if the magazine's editors decide to take it out. They also announce births and deaths, and I think alum who haven't kept in touch with each other might want to know.

[Sistermadly]

Yes. I think it's a fantastic idea. I've stopped referring to my relationship as a "marriage" and I now call it a "civil union". It's a small protest, but I don't want any special title awarded to me just 'cause I fell in love with someone of a different gender.

Our magazine uses marriage

Re: why is it there Personally, I really like it. Sure, most people will hear through word of mouth or because of an invitation, but there's always the occasional person who you've lost touch with, and suddenly you see their name pop up. When that happens, I make an effort to get their contact information, wish them congratulations, and try to get back in touch.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
A marriage is a marriage, right?

Sure, if you're straight. Otherwise, you get to drink from a separate water fountain.