Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ryan on August 30, 2009 at 8:58am

I think that this is entirely a personal opinion. I am married and am very happy with my life and the trajectory that it is on. With that said, there are times where I am envious of my single friends dating beautiful women, driving nice cars seemingly without a care in the world. I would love to experience that. However, when night rolls around, I know that there would be some feeling of loneliness because I am missing the constant companionship of my wife.

Permalink Reply by James! on September 2, 2009 at 11:39am

No.

Permalink Reply by Jamie Q on September 2, 2009 at 11:51am

It depends entirely on the man in question. Some are better off single, without the distraction of a family. Some need a family to build, provide for, and protect.

I'd also like to point out that settling down doesn't necessarily require a wife and kids.

Permalink Reply by Peter O'Reilly on September 2, 2009 at 12:25pm

That is the age old question that will most likely define my life. I personally believe that every man is instinctively torn between wanting to settle down with one partner and going on the rampage to end all rampages. I have a girlfriend, I really like her a lot, she makes me very happy, yet I still find myself wanting to run around like the manwhore I was before we started dating. Even though I know that manwhoring isn't all its cracked up to be, its the excitement and anticipation of hooking up with someone new that I enjoy the most. However, if I broke up with her, I know I'd regret it. Like I said, she's really amazing and makes me feel great. Such is the nature of my life...sigh lol!!!

Permalink Reply by Alex Loker on September 2, 2009 at 1:20pm

I have found the grass is often greener. As a married man I sometimes long for a weekend of solitude. As a single guy I was always looking for a woman to be with. I'm sure there are some deeper issues there!

If you are true to yourself you can't go wrong either way.

Permalink Reply by Dave Findlay on September 3, 2009 at 11:03pm

I have to agree with you here -- when I was single I dearly wanted to be in a relationship, and even now that I'm married there are times when I think that it would be nice to be single. Same goes for kids -- rewarding like nothing else, but there are plenty of times when I wish we didn't have any. Maybe the best question to ask is not, "Is it better?" to be married or single, but instead, "Could I be truly happy?" as a married or single man. Until that's resolved, no matter whether we're single or hitched, the other option will look disturbingly good at times.

Permalink Reply by Native Son on September 3, 2009 at 10:50pm

When one has the right partner, being married is better. Sorry about the neceassary caveat.
I know (and have known) some life long bachelors and although I have, from time to time, envied their disposable income and free time on the weekends, there always seems to be something missing from their lives. I'm far happier and more satisfied married than I was single. I qualify this by saying I married relatively late, in my early forties, so I was a bachelor for quite a while.

Permalink Reply by I'mCosy on September 3, 2009 at 11:17pm

Being retired, for the past 14 years, being married has some advantages. My wife tolerates my attendance at the Toastmasters meetings which are almost every other day of the week, while I have learnt to accept her being involved in spiritual activities as well as being a social worker.

But often I feel like a paying guest when I return home, late some nights, to a warm bed...