Being married vs. being single

[Pampho85]

So after a heated discussion with my parents, I've decided (planned already a few years back) that I won't get married. Mind you, I'm 17, and I might change my mind, but as of now, I'm firmly stating I'll be staying single for the rest of my life. I've been in relationships (well, teenage ones) and I can 100% say that they're not my cup of tea. I'm more kept to myself, and have a hard time expressing myself, not to mention I'm not very fond of my looks. Back to the main point(s)! I believe if you're not married (just an assumption, and based off my cousins who recently got married) you have more 'freedom' and not bound by anyone or anything (well, except the law of course). I won't have to live by anyone else rules, I'll be free to do what I want, when I want, won't have to worry about saving money for kids or another person, won't be putting up with in-laws (LOL), and I'll be able to live comfortably and be able to expand and start my hobbies. My parents on the other hand (mind you they're an arranged marriage, it was the norm in India back in the day) and they're completely opposed to such an idea. And my grandma even worse. She threatened to send my to India and get a wife and to beat me with a pan if I say such a thing again haha. Back to the point once again, my parents believe you obtain 'better morals', you're not lonely (don't really care about this, seeing as I don't have many friends, and hardly any close ones), happy and you get to sire the next generation. We've been butting heads about this topic ever since my cousin got married last year, and my uncles have even started making bets about if I'm getting married or not. Especially to another Indian, haha. I told them that race doesn't play a part in falling in love, but, I'm still a firm believer that I won't get married.

So, after all my dabbling nonsense, comes the main point(s):

-Are you going to get married or are you going to stay single?
-Do you believe that you have to be married to experience 'true happiness'?
-Do you believe getting married restricts you from doing certain things?

and there's some more, but, I can't think of it. So what's your take on the marriage topic?

[Rob]

Dude your 17, who the heck knows what your thoughts or views of anything will be in just a few years. You will not be the same person you are today by a long shot.

[Pampho85]

Dude your 17, who the heck knows what your thoughts or views of anything will be in just a few years. You will not be the same person you are today by a long shot.

Yea, I know that, but I'm just wondering what's everyone else view on marriage after talking to my parents about it. Just giving some background info the matter and all.

[Royal Hijinx]

Yeah, you will not even recognize your 17 year old self by the time you are 25 even, and especially by the time you are 30.

[Missy King]

Being married adds that little bit of stability and something to fall back on when relationships get hard.
However, when they are too hard it makes it complicated. Really though it would be fine if we weren't so financially intertwined.
I'd say just get a pre-nup, and give every relationship your all...that way you can give your all and know you're doing your best, with no regrets.
That's the only way you get a head in life...give it your all, at work, in relationships...you have to be open to change and to bettering yourself.
But, if you really hate the idea of being tied down and committed to one person, well then it's not for you! But then neither is any serious relationship. Which is fine, and it's awesome to know that about yourself a head of time!

[Skittles1101]

As others have stated, you're 17, trust me it'll change. There aren't too many people who willingly stay single forever. It's human nature to crave a physical and emotional bond with another person. I got married at 17, and divorced at close to 20. I'm a single mom to a very spirited almost 6 year old. I'd love to have someone to come home to, to hold, to vent and talk to, to make a life with. I'm only 23 and I don't even recognize the person I was when I was 17.

Trust me, once you get out of high school and/or college, give it a few years...you're going to crave that same thing. I'm socially awkward, though I hide it well, I'm an introvert, I absolutely suck at meeting new people...I still want that bond with someone. Heck, I miss what I had just a few months ago with my boyfriend, he used to live with me and moved out.

Regardless, it doesn't matter what our opinions are, you're free to do what you please. I, however, don't see a sense in having a heated argument with your parents about marriage at 17 years old. Indian or not, it's not worth the argument since you're only 17 and living in America. Shrug it off, don't bring it up, and see how you feel in a few years.

P.S. relationships should never be about being tied down or having to follow another persons rules. It's about a mutual respect and commitment, and if you ever found the right person you won't mind giving up a few stupid things to make them happy, and vice versa.

[Slim]

I'm fairly close to three times your age, and when I was 17, I never wanted to get married. Then I got married...twice, and divorced...twice. And now, I don't want to get married any more.

There are far too many cows out there giving away the milk for free, and at my age, none of them want to get married either

I say do whatever the heck you want to do, until you want to do something else, then do that.

The best plan I've ever had in life was no plan at all

[Vypyrz]

I have never gotten married, and it has allowed me to live the life that I wanted to.

Sent from my Motorola ATRIX using Tapatalk 2.

[Andybill]

Hey Slim were/are you in the military?

[Mike41793]

Finish puberty before you start thinking about marriage bud lol.
(Unlike all these old people^^^ Im only 2 years older than you so im not trying to talk down to you at all. Im also not married either haha.)

As a 19 year old i look back at my 17 year old self, thats ONLY 2 years ago, and cant figure out what the hell i was thinking lol. I wont go into details here, unless you want me to lol, but i did alot of stupid stuff. I dont regret any of it, though some things i probably should... Graduating high school and realizing i should actually do something with my life made me grow up real fast.

So my point is... Focus on school now and worry about getting good grades, SAT's and collge stuff. Just be a teenager, bc if you dont then itll fly by and youll have missed all of it worrying about stupid girls. If you cant find a wife yet, dont worry you have plenty of time. I wouldnt look for one yet though, bc then youll miss out on all the college girls