Buzz Aldrin has been promoting his new book, Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration, which details his plan to have space travel and a permanent presence on the Red Planet by the 2030s. As controversial as that may be for some, he made just as many headlines when the former astronaut started dating a woman just months after his divorce from his wife of 23 years, Lois Driggs Cannon — his third wife.
For some, the question was, what is he doing with someone 30 years his junior? Girlfriend Michelle Sucillon was 51 and Aldrin was 81 at the time. As a society we tend to be skeptical whenever a couple’s ages are so far apart, but I’m not sure why; there are certainly enough relationships in which the couples are about the same age that don’t last, either. If you’re wondering what they could possibly have in common, you might also want to question if that’s the only “proper” reason for a couple to be together (something Susan Pease Gadoua and I address in The New I Do, which will be out in the fall). 
The bigger question, however, is why do people rush into a relationship so soon after leaving one? And while both men and women are guilty of that, more men say “I do” again after divorce, and they’re quicker to say it, too. Perhaps not as quickly as actor and now new daddy Mark-Paul Gosselaar — he proposed to Catriona McGinn just three months after his divorce from Lisa Ann Russell was finalized — but certainly fast enough for people to wonder, why in the world do you want to get into something you just got out of?
For Emily V. Gordon, a therapist and Huffington Post blogger, it may because men don’t have the sort of support women do post-divorce:
“In my experience as a therapist and as a friend, it seems that the majority of the breakup resources available are for women and not men. Women, who tend to be more vocal about their emotional struggles, are the squeaky wheel that gets the grease from friends, from online communities, from books, and from therapeutic approaches. Women are encouraged to go on an emotional journey of self-care after a divorce, while men are expected to need help learning how to cook and parent on their own. When you Google “how men handle divorce,” many of the links advise women on what to do if their husbands become violent during the divorce process. Why is there so little focus on how men can heal after a divorce?”
It’s a valid question, considering that divorced men have twice the risk of suicide than married men.
I’m not sure how many women “go on an emotional journey of self-care after a divorce,” but a period of introspection and yes, self-care is a natural reaction to something as tumultuous as a divorce. For women, typically the caregivers and the one in charge of emotional caretaking as well, it makes sense that many women are often a lot happier after divorce; all that care-taking takes its toll, emotionally and physically. Since more middle-aged women seek divorce then men, why would they be eager to get back into the same situation? That may explain why of those age 45 or older, a third of men remarry and just a quarter of women do.
But even the women who would happily marry again have a harder time; while having kids makes remarriage challenging for men and women, it’s worse for women. More men aren’t too keen on marrying a woman with kids and creating an instant family. Since more divorced moms have custody of their children, it can put them out of the dating loop — but not divorced dads.
But some men, obviously, are OK with blending families or even starting new families, which is surprising considering how many men complain — rightfully so — about paying alimony (often for life) and child support, often for children they can barely see. So why are so many men eager to get hitched again — especially when second marriages have a 67 percent chance of divorce?
U.K. columnist Lucy Cavendish wonders if men aren’t incurable romantics. Otherwise, she says, how can you explain why a man who has been badly burned in a divorce — think Paul McCartney, who married wife No. 3, Nancy Shevell in 2011 — would want to risk it all again?
Maybe it’s because marriage has its share of benefits for men — married men tend to be healthier and better off financially than unmarried men. Or maybe some men just don’t want to be alone while many midlife divorced women want to have an Eat, Pray, Love experience and rediscover and reinvent themselves, without having to take care of anyone other than themselves. And let’s face it; men typically find it a lot easier to attract a wider age range of women — just like Buzz Aldrin did.
But maybe, as Cavendish notes, men just like to be married.
- Why do divorced men marry faster than divorced women?
- Do men like marriage more than women do?
Photo © Marina Ilchenko/Fotolia.com
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This article is so full of distortions and incorrect statements that it boggles the mind.
Honestly, it depends on a number of factors.
I think men of Buzz Aldrin’s generation really cannot function without a woman (read wife). I have seen this even in my own family. They are emotionally and physically dependent on women for their happiness.
I am of the Boomer generation. I would dare say Boomer men (or women) for that matter even want to re-marry. I know I damn well do not! I do not even want to “fall in love.”
People today, for whatever reason(s), have just become sour on other people. I think this is due to our totally whacked notion of love, marriage, sex, perfection, needs, unrealistic expectations, etc.
I practice the KISS principle. I am jovial and joyful everyday. I talk to anyone or everyone with warmth and a warm smile. Some people look at me strangely. But, I simply feel sorry for them. Life is at its BEST when humans engage in conversation with one another, face to face. We have lost that art today.
Hence, I do not think Gen Y, Gen X men will have even a desire for marriage lest alone to remarry.
Just My Opinion
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
Well, my friend, Millennials still value marriage and, yes, many still want to marry even though more than ever before are opting out. An, that’s great — marriage isn’t for everyone, and those who don’t want it shouldn’t be seen as strange. That’s where I believe we’re heading, a greater acceptance and embracing of the many ways to be, no stigma attached. Until the financial perks of tying the knot are removed (and despite the few who openly talk about it, it’s unlikely to happen), people will still marry — that’s what the whole push for marriage equality by gays and lesbians is all about. Marriage still matters, just not in the way it used to.
Were marriage only about ‘love’ and ‘babies’, gay and lesbian people wouldn’t have thought of it. It’s about joint filings, property, and things like visitation rights, too. If heterosexuals hadn’t given themselves a thousand benefits and denied “perverts” equal rights, gay men, anyway, would never have demanded it — and declared war on society to get it. Marriage isn’t all valentines, roses, and pop lyrics.
Terence you aren’t sour? Then you must be about 20…
Men seem to “panic” and remarry – some even get involved with other women during separation, and others get involved even before then! For myself, the idea of bringing a woman on-board, likely with 2 or 3 kids of her own, is inconceivable. I really don’t see myself with *that* many children to help care for, and I don’t see her bringing home enough bacon to justify the expenses her and her kids will bring to the table. It seems women these days have a distorted view of what a dual income can provide. It’s as if when “both people are working” it’s a license to spend in a wanton fashion and disregard the need for frugality or saving money. How much debt some couples are going into every single month has me shaking my head, and when I see exactly *what* they are spending it all *on*, I am not sure whether to be horrified or just amused. Clearly, working class people who are going into tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars of consumer debt for luxury items and luxury living are in some sort of denial.
The best thing about being divorced is that I am finally able to SAVE money every month and begin paying down consumer debt as a single dad with partial/joint custody (that last part is key). Although I have 33% less income, yet about 85% of the basic living expenses I had when married, I am somehow saying money every month and paying off credit card debt. Bottom line: she was spending far more than she was bringing in.
When I see what the North American Princess wants to spend versus what she brings to the table, no, I will never marry or even live with another woman (read: common law) again.
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
Thanks for commenting, Insidious_Sid, although not every woman is a North American Princess. I was not and I remain that way, nor were many of my female friends who were the sole breadwinners. It’s sad when people, men and women, cast a net of “all men/women” are a certain way based on their experiences and maybe the experiences of their small circle (and I understand that in my small circle, the women were overwhelmingly the breadwinners). Still, if an honest discussion about finances, purchases, savings, debt etc. was not part of the discussion you had before marrying — and one you continually had throughout the marriage — to make sure you were on the same page, wouldn’t you also be in part responsible? Were you fully aware of your former wife’s spending patterns and debt before tying the knot? And, if not, why?
There seems to be a systemic sense of entitlement among many working class married couples that BEING middle class means entitlement to expensive spec homes, 2 trips a year, and a lifestyle that 30 years ago was reserved for divorce lawyers and movie stars. This new “don’t argue with your wife” and “happy wife / happy life” mantra sold to us by feminism is a complete lie. I see far too many men spending themselves into consumer debt oblivion kow-towing to women who have gone off the rails with their expectations. In any case, I am not marrying again, ever, (nor am I cohabitating). If I meet one of these mythical creatures (“strong independent woman”) I might date her, but only on the premise that she remains independent. I have no desire to pay child support for another man’s children if/when the next one calls it quits either. Men are opting out of marriage for good reason – marriage is a toxic environment for men, and when it goes south she leaves and gets cash and prizes and he gets the blame for it not working. Sorry, not signing up for THAT circus act again!
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
All the studies indicate marriage is good for men; in fact, it’s better for men than it is for women (remember, we could be legally raped and beaten until recently). Don’t blame feminism for the end of your marriage; feminism is what allows men to be stay-at-home dads and breadwinning wives. You don’t want that? You married the wrong person and you didn’t get a prenup; sorry, but you have to own that.
Prenups are not worth the paper they are written on. I “own it” by not re-marrying (or cutting a key for another woman). Modern marriage is *NOT* good for men, and the paltry benefits don’t even come close to outweighing the risks. If it’s so great, then why are there so many “where have all the good men gone” articles? Like this one?
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-hollingsworth/bachelor-nation-70-men-aged-20-34-are-not-married
Men are smart – they approach relationships with more than just emotion. Some of us do a cost/benefit analysis or risk assessment (or both) and instinctively know when to just walk away.
I think this is nonsense. I am 62 and almost every married man I know is envious of my single lifestyle. Marriage is definitely good for women but is terrible for men. I defy you or anyone else to tell me one single thing I can have by being married that I can’t have without signing away my independence and putting myself at the mercy of gynocentric family courts if my wife decides to bail. No thanks!
Insidious_Sid I am a woman and I totally agree with you. I do not get people who spend their money on so many unnecessary things. I hate having debts any kind of debts no matter how small.I do not like spending money on things that I do not need.You have to spend only a part of the money you have.This is the sum of the money that I have earned and that is it, you have to limit yourself and you have to save a part of the money. I always have money that is saved.
My advice is to give yourself a chance and try finding a woman who is pragmatic and thinks the same way as you.
I can only speak for myself. My first marriage was simply out of low, completely devastated self-esteem. I thought the whore I married was my last and only chance at a family so I married WAY WAY below my caliber. After she left me for dead in a hospital bed for another man and took my kids, I chose to live because living is the best revenge.
I went about 3 years as a total hermit. I rarely left the house but when I did I only went to work, the grocery store or the mall. I met my current wife online. The main reason I married again was because I thought the problem with my first marriage was the person I was married to. The simple fact is that the problem is me. I am incompatible with the feminazi version of marriage that has been erected by our society and , as I have read in plenty of other threads of men who are miserable in their marriages, I am not alone in that. The best way to describe marriage in America is this: A dead clock is right twice a day and that’s still 2 times more then anything that has a male appendage.
If you’re a man, DO NOT MARRY. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. You gain nothing and lose everything when she decides to get out. DO NOT DO IT.
I’ll second that motion! Don’t say it men, live it!
Haha! I think I’ll second that – women don’t get married! I had the unfortunate luck to marry two dead beats. One an addict who hid his addictions from me until after the wedding – and the second was a narcissist who couldn’t hold down a job. Both times – I didn’t rush into either. They pushed marriage on me. Trust me women – when a man is in a rush to get married – there’s something wrong…
I cannot tell you how many times I had to bail us out financially. I kicked the second one out after he had the gall to go on several all night party binges with his friends while leaving his family financially destitute, draining our savings and our investments.
I have yet to meet a man capable of 1) being mature enough to handle responsibility equally and 2) capable of keeping his commitments honestly. I’ll just stay far, far away from men. I’ll enjoy a casual fling here and there, but marriage? Hahaha – not.
For the record – neither man paid me a dime either in alimony or child support. Both dead beats as far as being able to function as parents.
Sounds like you are attracted to losers. Women talk about how much they want a nice guy but they crap all over them and marry the losers instead. Blame yourself for that.
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
Anonymous — thanks for commenting.
You clearly and honestly admit you married a woman you didn’t have much respect for and only because you had low self-esteem. I think you might have to own that one. Not every woman is a “feminazi” — there are many women who are kind, loving, generous and thus beautiful and sexy, just as there are many men like that.
Marriage alone won’t guarantee you happiness — picking a good partner will go far. Coming into a marriage as the best person you can be, and continually choosing to be the best person you can be, will help you get even farther. Wishing you the best.
True, picking a good partner is key. Just don’t marry her!
When my maternal grandmother died, my grandfather remarried in less than a year. When my paternal great grandfather died, my great grandmother never remarried. When asked why, she said she didn’t have it in her to take care of someone else again. Only now do I completely understand. I’ve been married 22 years. I love my husband, he’s not a bad person and unless something drastic happens, divorce is off the table as we have 2 small children. That being said, should I ever find myself divorced or widowed, I will never remarry. EVER. I do not have it in me to care for someone again. I am the financial breadwinner, the ego stroker, the maid, the emotional breadwinner and the chef. When I couldn’t do it all any longer and divided the duties, he did such a piss poor job that it wasn’t worth it. It took a while for me to let go of the responsibility without feeling guilty but my sanity was worth it. As a result, the house is never clean, laundry is never done and we always get lawn notices from the HOA, but I have a smidgen of sanity.
Men remarry not for love but because they can barely dress themselves and wouldn’t know how to work dishwasher if it had tits on it.
“Men remarry not for love but because they can barely dress themselves and wouldn’t know how to work dishwasher if it had tits on it.”
Maybe men like the one you married. I did more work around the house and with the kids than *most* dads we knew, but she left anyways. Even her own sister said she “changed” – became more interested in fancy things, expensive things, different new and exciting “cool” and “successful” friends. She re-invented herself and realized the man she married was no longer up to snuff. So she “upgraded” for a younger, fitter cuter model!
Those magazine articles were right! When the spouse hits the gym and goes clothes shopping LOOK OUT! They’re looking to UPGRADE and that means TOO BAD FOR YOU!
Hahaha. I get the last laugh. I am rid of a wife and it’s been almost a year and I’d rather move a badger into my house than another woman! GOOD RIDDANCE!
Well, I find myself in the (apparently) unique position of being committed to the woman that left me, for better or for worse, just like I said when I married her. I just can’t stop loving her, as the song goes, and there’s just no more room left in my heart for another so I just live my days spending the time I can with her and being there for her best I can without living with her and that’s that. I don’t really see how anyone could remarry, it makes absolutely no sense to me.
Marriage is all risk, no gain for men. There is nothing in it but headaches and money loss for us guys.
I married a man a little over a yr ago , we had been together for almost 8 yrs ,bought a house together 7 yrs ago. The birthmom was not taking care of the kids so I stepped in and said they should live w us . so we have had them now for almost 6 yrs now. I cooked and cleaned for them ran them around did everything a mom would do and more. Birthmom would say she was comming to town to see them and then wouldn’t show up. Was suppose to show up for Xmas to pick up her kids and the kids were waiting and she didn’t show up. I was always there, and I gave up everything . my husband dumped a lot of his responsibilities on me, when I was needing support from him he wasn’t there. one of the daughters was suspended from school 4 different times in Jr high. And she wouldn’t be in trouble at home . my husband also never said anything about daughters having boys in their room or their bedroom being locked w boys in the room. I always felt like I was living in a alternate universe. He didn’t have trouble telling me what to do , but wouldn’t Say anything to his kids . he would just bury his head in the sand . I started losing respect for him and the resentment started to build. I was tired of being walked on and used , I felt so empty like I had nothing else to give. I walked out during a fight w one of the girls we had 3, normally I got along good as long they were getting everything they wanted. I wanted to get couciling for us and the girls but I couldn’t stay there until we got help ..husband was willing and 3 days later he came over to where I was staying, and told me this wasn’t going to work out, I was devastated . since I put my foot down and was not going to be used anymore. He couldn’t use me to take care of his responsibilities so I was no longer of use to him. We have been separated now for 5 months and since he doesn’t want to work things out, and I have tried. I filed for divorce. I am seeing a really good therapist and that has helped , but I don’t think I will ever take on someone else’s responsibilities again. And I think this has scarred me from ever wanting to date let alone marry anyone with kids again.
Cori,
You did the right thing. I am currently going through something similar and it
took his verbally abusing me many times to make the decision to leave. It gets
easier every day. He felt his kids and he could do no wrong and I was there
to serve. No equality. Good for you Cori. Hang in there. We women are caretakers at our own expense. Lesson learned here..take care of you.
Linda
Well many of us single men hate being Alone all the time and would rather be in another relationship again, especially when we had our wife Cheated on us which wasn’t our fault to begin with. Being alone nowadays is very tough for me, and when all your friends are settled down with a family which makes it worse for us too. I would never wish this even on my worst enemy since Loneliness is a very depressing thing today, and finding love again is very hard as well.
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
Thanks for commenting, RealGoodAnswer. I’m sorry you are feeling alone. Is there any way that you and your your friends, regardless of whether they are settled down or not, can spend time together, alone or with their partners? Wat about making new friends (admittedly, sometimes hard).
There is a difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. I think the best gift you can give yourself is an exploration of what being alone and lonely mean. It’s too much pressure to rely on someone else to make you feel less lonely.
And, you know, it’s OK to feel lonely sometimes; we’re often too quick to wipe away sad and hard emotions when they are just as valid and necessary as the happy ones.
Please let me know how it goes. Wishing you the best.
Hello,
What I have read thus far is horrifying. I am pondering whether or not I am going to leave my relationship of almost ten years. Communication has always been a real issue. My wife spends most of our money on so many material things. I have tried for so long to change this person’s ways. In addition, she can be physically abusive. I can tell you, after consulting with attorney’s , guys get the royal screw. They are usually the primary bread winner. So, they take the biggest losses. The important things that I think about are: 1)Money is not everything. It can only make you so happy. 2) Cherish your kids? Make the most of what time you have with them. They will cherish that time as well. 3) Thank God the option of divorce exists. Imagine having to live with someone that doesn’t give a crap about you. 4) You always have the choice to re-marry or not. If you do, treat your partner with love, respect, and empathy. Just make sure you’re getting the same before you say,” I do”. I don’t know what’s going to happen with me. Part of me wants to work things out because I am not a saint. I never cheated or hurt her physically. But, I resented the fact that she didn’t work. I was condescending and patronizing. I was a dick. If I could turn back time, I would. But, I can’t so I have to work with what I’ve got. Wish me luck. I hope those that wrote about their pain will find comfort and peace.
You know, Sadman, I’ve fessed up to my wrongdoings in the relationship… but you know what? It was *incredibly hard work* to try and be nice and fun and playful and romantic with a woman who could shut off intimacy like it had a switch. It seemed as long as my only words were “yes yes yes” and I didn’t challenge or disagree with anything, things were okay (at best). But, when I had to protest how much she was biting off, or how much money was being spent, I was the bad guy. A lot of men complain about this problem.
Get out now! You only live once so why be miserable? Most women do spend way too much on silly things and expect you to foot the bill. You will get hosed in the corrupt gynocentric family courts that favor women but the freedom with be worth it, trust me. And, whatever you do, don’t get married again!!
I refuse to remarry because of what I believe the Bible says about remmarriage being adultery . I A
am.
content to be single the rest of my life. I am a 72 and a half year old man. My wife divorced me 13 years ago.
I am a vietnam era veteran. I well remember what the 101First Airborne paratroopers said at the Battle of the Bulge. Hell we are always alone and surrounded. So I am content to be alone and surrounded by all the adulterous preachers and Hollywood celebrities. Yes even the notable Buzz Aldren. A good example of an adulterous preacher author is Steve Arturburb.
tous Arturburn. His first two wives divorced him for mental and physical cruelty. Now he is on his third marriage and still does marriage counseling
kate. The same for Bob Tiulton
, John Hagee, Hall Lindsey, and Joyce Meyers. They are all adulterers because their exes are still living. On Judgement day they will be humbled and will not inherit the kingdom of God. according to the scriptues. I do respect Charles Stanley and Charles Ryrie because they stayed single and celibate after their wives divorcedd them. Maybe I wont live as long as the man who divirces and remarries , but I expect to have a greater reward on Judgement day. I have no respect for the preachers I mentioned and. would never take coynsel counsel from them. Rather I would upbraid them for their immral immoral lfes lifestyle.
A lot of divorced women get that check from their ex and they don’t remarry due to their own greed of not losing out on sucking that ex husband as dry as possible. A lot of women will shack up in front of their kids and get that ex husbands alimony! Ridiculous!
For some reason, most women think because they had a mans baby that they are entitled to his money at any costs! Crazy- You will marry a man with an ex that he gives all his money to as well! What goes around comes around! Ridiculous- Be fair- Get a job!
I honestly believe that you can only get as much as u give in a relationship with someone, it’s not reasonable to expect one to do more than the other. People need to be conscious of their behaviour with the other and be able to work on themselves when something is not right. Getting married is not supposed to be any different than being with someone in a relationship. It’s a sign of commitment, so why would you stop doing the things you used to do? why would you be careless of the person you’re supposed to love forever? Why does the frequency of sex changes? I believe relationships are always a working progress and you need to do things to keep that flame if you don’t then ya of course things are gonna go bad… if you cheat on your wife hell ya she’s gonna wanna get every penny she can get to piss you off… I mean every situation is different… I don’t like to judge but I say, keep an open mind and try to understand what happened what went wrong.. mayb you’ll find happiness again.. or an ever bigger happiness…..There are many good women out there, you need to get to know them way before getting married to them… What is this person’s values? Would they steal? Do they lie? I mean honestly may sound stupid but I see it as a potential to some negative problems in a marriage…. life is a learning experience don’t give up on it 🙂 all the best to all the readers 😛
I think one of the main reasons women don’t remarry is because divorced women are undesirable to men. They are often older, so not sexually desirable, and come with another man’s kids. In addition, the divorce process teaches women that they don’t need to get along with their partner because of the inherent bias of the system. I don’t know any men that would even touch a divorced woman, especially one that collects support due to “winning” a court settlement. In fact, in this day and age, when people use dating sites to meet, the first filter tends to be no kids, then no women over 40. As a man, I was always in demand so it was only a matter of time before I met a woman I could love and settle down with. My ex seems to have found lots of new divorced female friends to drink wine with on the weekends. Unlike the wine though, she gets more and more bitter as the years go by.
Twitter: OMGchronicles
says:
Divorced women may be undesirable to some men, like you, but certainly not all. One divorced woman I know (she was the breadwinner in her first marriage) tied the knot again last year (to a slightly younger man), another is engaged to be married next year (again, slightly younger man). All my other girlfriends, myself included, are happily partnered with men our age or slightly younger. We all are empty-nesters in our 50s or early 60s. Times are different now, at least in certain parts of the country. More women are breadwinners, not “winners” of court settlements, and more women at midlife look great and are independent and sexy. There are many men who are attracted to that. Good luck to you.
What you are describing in terms of anecdotal stories of “more women are breadwinners” is true, but anecdotal. In by far the case, especially in states outside of California, men are paying women for LIFE following a divorce. It’s simply not an argument about what is going on in this country with divorced men supporting women for the rest of their lives.
Similar to “Remarried Man” above, as a man in my 50s, very successful, my filter in dating women is if they are accepting spousal support, I will not date them. My wife received 1/2 million dollars cash from me (the house sale), plus spousal support, plus child support (even though I have kids more than 1/2 time). But my attorney told me that was actually a “good deal” and to take it. Even though I’ve had to take on a second job to continue paying her. She’s visited 13 countries in 2 years. I have not had more than 2 days off in a row since divorcing a few years ago.
I cannot be with a women with kids either. How can I possibly afford to support my ex-wife, my own kids, my new relationship and her kids? Impossible.
Yet, I discovered an independent woman, who adores her independence. We date like teenagers. See each other a few times a month. We live separately, and love it. I’m with my kids much more than before, and love that too. And so do they, they’ve told me.
I probably won’t remarry. But if I did, I’d ensure a contract was in place.
“More women are breadwinners, not ‘winners’ of court settlements”
I call BS on this one. Men pay 97% of the alimony in this country. You tell me who is the winners are here. Hint: it ain’t men. 😉
“Happy for HIM”
Most of the comments on here are bitter but I am guessing it is more about underlying pain. I hope for the sake of other women and men the bitter people stay away from dating until they deal with their hurt and anger. I married young and I eventually asked for the divorce after my ex had a couple of affairs and then wanted to become a woman. I recognize, with time and healing, that we were not suited well for each other from the beginning. My ex is now living as a female and has a new partner and I am happy for her.
I have learned through therapy what my issues were and why I would stay in a relationship that wasn’t working and hopefully my ex has learned some things also but if not, it is none of my business. When I got divorced I was so hurt and angry that I promised myself that I would never marry again. I have three daughters from my marriage and I will be forever grateful for these beautiful young women that he and I created together. It has been 16 years since my divorce and I am now with a respectful, kind, and loving man (who has been married three times before, which kind of threw me!) and I have grown to be a respectful, kind, and loving woman. We are well suited temperamentally, financially, and emotionally and we accept that we are imperfect people working on meeting each other’s needs as best as we can. I am now thinking that I would marry again and this time it is for the best of reasons. My marriage wasn’t a failure because I learned a lot about who I am, who my ex is, and the blessing of a family, in my mind, is well worth it all! Oh, and by the way, I am one of those feminists that get such a bad rap.
I forgot to add that my partner is 7 years younger than I am, so I guess some of us are still sexually attractive even when we are older and have kids.
Just what I needed to read, Paula. My story, including an ex with gender struggles, is almost identical. The problem with failed marriages isn’t about “men” or “women” living up to their stereotypes. It’s about individuals who need to work on themselves to be better people. And by better, I mean, happy, confident, self-supporting, respectful, and considerate. These key characteristics in a person MAKE them a better partner.
In my experience, there are two things every marriage needs: a willingness for each person to ‘own their part’ (maybe it IS you), and a willingness to forgive the other person for their imperfections.
Of course, there are relationships where one person is really unhealthy – violent, abusive, emotionally absent. Basically, not interested or not capable of real love. In those cases, the best thing one can do is head out on your own.
I am a single mom of one kind. I haven’t been able to find anyone in my area, or state for that matter that will even speak of polygamy. I am actually looking for a family for me and my sons to be a part of, so we can stop hiding what we truly feel is the way things should be. Of course I have been approached by certain men, but unfortunately most of the time it is perverse in nature.
Well since there are many of us men that really hate to be Single And Alone again which certainly will explain it.
Divorced man here. 51. Was with my X for a dozen years but only married for the last few. After the divorce I decided to take some time off from relationships to “get better”. As each year passed it became more and more apparent that I was happier single, so I’ve remained that way for several years. I don’t intend to date or engage in intimate relationships anymore. To me, it’s not worth price you pay. It took me around four and a half years and a mountain of pain to let go. Giving up was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do X 1000.
Honestly however, my primary instinct following the separation, which was frighteningly strong, was to get into another relationship as soon as possible. It felt like a deep desperation to validate myself in the eyes of a woman. I’m glad I couldn’t handle that psychologically and broke free of the desire to couple. I make close to 200K per year and save half of that every year – so I’m looking at an easy retirement. The X and I didn’t have kids and she worked – so no alimony or child support weighing me down. I have a really cool dog and we adore one another. That’s enough for me.
The great majority of us men would rather be in a relationship than being single and all alone when we use to be married at one time before having our wives that cheated on us which has unfortunately happened to me. It is very difficult finding real love again since the times today are completely different from the past when it was much easier in the past. And a great deal of marriages lasted back then since both men and women were very committed to one another as well. And when you get older without being married gets even much harder since it can be very unhealthy and depressing too not having a love life that so many others were very blessed to have. I certainly would love to get married again if i really were that lucky and blessed to meet a good woman to settle down with since i will definitely admit that being single and all alone really sucks for me.