Living together before marriage

Have we outgrown marriage?

Let me say first that I firmly believe most women and men want the same things. We all want to have connection, to be loved, to have someone we can trust as the parent of our children. We want friendship, sex and someone to take care of us when we are sick. These are not gender dependent desires. What has been true in the past is that in general, women sought marriage, while men avoided it.

To paraphrase Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman wants to be a wife. Most women grow up with the idea that they will grow up and marry, and indeed have a desire to do so. But why?

I realized that answer not long ago as I read Liz Gilbert's Committed. Until very recently in our American history, the single most effective way for a woman to achieve lifelong security, social status and potential happiness was to marry. The act of marriage enabled a woman to legally pass on property (since a

Good puppy!















What would you do if your husband refused to even try to give you an orgasm? This was a situation a reader of our site found herself in recently. Our other readers jumped in to offer friendly advice, and this was our favorite solution, from a reader named Hannah:

If there was no child involved, I'd say DUMP HIM… I mean that is bad. Very seriously bad. And it's not as if you haven't tried to tell him. Most men would be mortified if someone told them they sucked in bed, and they'd make really sure they never did it again. But then again, most men care way too much about making women orgasm. If he doesn't care at all, well, then I wouldn't even see the point of having sex with him at all.
But keep in mind that training people is just like training a puppy:
• You need to be absolutely consistent and clear.
• You need to be overflowing with praise for good behavior.
• You should never ever reward bad behavior. Never.
Just think, if you pulled a slot machine 100 times, and then on the

Choosing our favorite places to snuggle with your someone special from all the romantic places in the world wasn't as easy a task as one may think. There are loads of fabulously pampering properties that appeal to just-about-to-wed couples, honeymooners, babymooners and people who just happen to be in love. But in the end, we chose top hotel rooms that offer awesome views, spectacular bedding and some other sweet add-ons that are sure to spark the romance.

By: Jenna Mahoney

More from Bridal Guide:

• Caribbean Honeymoons for Every Budget
• 100 Gorgeous Ideas for Fall Weddings
• 12 Times Your Single Friends Might Secretly Hate You
• 50 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding
• 10 Things No One Tells You About Gown Shopping

Embrace the Positives of Being Single!


Posted by James Lane for Bounceback.com

In celebration of National Singles Week, when everyone is looking at their single life with a glass half empty view, we have discovered so many reasons why it is just awesome to be single.

1. Enjoying your free time

When you are single, you have more time to focus on your friends, read a great novel, or watch your favorite television show. It is a time for you to relax and not have to worry about someone else for a change. You can wake up when you want, go to brunch with some friends, and then come home and watch the Kardashian marathon, with no guilty conscious.

2. Experience new things

Especially if you are young, being single is the best opportunity to experience all new things! A new city or a new job. You aren't tied down to anything, so if you want, you can get up and move cities and start a new life. You get to know yourself in a totally new way; a way you wouldn't if you were in a relationship.

3. You are

By Dating Diva Jennifer Oikle, Ph.D. for GalTime.com

WARNING: Stay away...

Of course you know better, but sometimes the forbidden is just oh… so… seductive. Yah, you know you really shouldn't-- yet sometimes you can't seem to help yourself, right?

The next time you find yourself being sucked into a romance with any of these five types of men, think again because here's the cold, hard truth. The biggest reason most of you are still single is that you've wasted too much time in dead-end relationships, with guys like these!

Ditch the Date #1: Your Hot Neighbor

Sweet! The new guy next door is a total hottie. But if you find yourself baking some cookies as an excuse to meet him, bring them to your co-workers instead. While it's super convenient to date when you can walk over to his house in your slippers, once it's over, your heart will never know a moments peace. "Oh look, his car's in the driveway, wonder what he's doing now?" Sigh. "Oh no, who's car is that in the driveway?"

By Jessica Nappi for CupidsPulse.com

You and your best friend are usually inseparable: you laugh until you cry, lie side by side on the beach all day and even pluck each other's eyebrows. So when she finds Mr. Right, it's easy to find yourself left in the dust. You no longer hang out, and the only time you see her is when you accidentally bump into her while she's hand in hand with her boyfriend at the mall. While it's perfectly normal to have that "can't get enough" feeling when a relationship begins, it's not okay for a friend to leave you out of their life because you've been replaced by someone else. Here are some ways you can help them find a balance between love for you and love for their partner:

Related: How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him)

1. Let them go through their honeymoon phase: When two people meet and the chemistry is tangible, it's hard to rip them apart, especially in the beginning. Every couple goes through what is called a "

By Sarah Ribeiro for CupidsPulse.com

Engagement rings are one of the most important elements in beginning a marriage. They signify the bond you have with your partner, their commitment to you and the security of your relationship. Of course, there's also the glamour and luxury that comes with a gorgeous diamond on your hand. Here are some celebrity engagement rings that perfectly represent both the strength and extravagance of celebrity marriage:

1. Kate Hudson: Kate Hudson's engagement ring from Muse rocker Matt Bellamy is an outstanding statement in such a private relationship. The $200,000 platinum ring is a nine carat emerald-cut diamond with tapered baguettes on the side. The two have been engaged for a year. Although they have no wedding date set, they do have a son together, Bingham.

Related: Jessica Biel Had No Say In Her Engagement Ring

2. Kate Middleton: The royal duchess Kate Middleton was definitely given a ring fit for a queen. Her love Prince William

While it's true nobody said marriage was easy, only folks in a bad marriage can truly understand that marriage shouldn't have to be so hard. Despite the best of intentions and promises of forever, sometimes a marriage just doesn't work out. No matter the reason for the deterioration of a relationship, staying in a toxic marriage for the sake of staying married will eventually take a very serious personal toll. Take a look at the 7 most common reasons people stay in bad marriages and why staying isn't such a great idea - By Lori Garcia

MORE ON BABBLE

15 ways women are ruining their sex lives

20 things ALL women do but hate to admit

10 things you should NEVER say to your husband...but probably do