what is a good marriage?

[taranaki]

I am fortunate enough to have been married for a few years(no smart remarks please guys,this is a serious thread for a change),and although it hasn't all been champagne and roses,I would have to say that I am part of a good marriage.Some people can have a good marriage without children,some people can have a good marriage without money,some can have a good marriage even though they rarely see each other....

So what is it that makes a marriage good,and what elements must a marriage have to survive?

[YogsVR4]

Well, I am about to find out. I am counting on the fact that Theresa and I are best friends to help get us through any rough times ahead. We do share a lot of common intrests as well as some that we do not. Between the same things we like (cars, horseback riding, reading material) we'll always have something we can do together. And the things we dont have in common - her ability to speak five languages, my fascination with numbers and some differing hobbies, we'll have something new to do and learn from each other.

[JD@af]

I think the ideals of a good marriage are basically a mutual ability (even a willingness) to compromise. A foundation above all else of trust (through which love is founded - I believe love is founded in attraction, and then secondly trust, along with some additional mysterious elements that cannot be verbalized) must remain strong, as it is intrinsic to a functional (good) marriage. I believe that these are the key elements (compromise, love, and trust) to a good marriage, and in fact any healthy intimate relationship.

[Spec2 Girl]

It's actually really hard to put into words exactly what makes a good marriage, but to me a good marriage is based on trust and love. Without those two basics you've got nothing.

["Pandamonium"]

I have always felt that relationships mainly start with some sort of physical or mental attraction then progress from there as the love grows. You find a compromise on the things that you don't share & enjoy the things you do.
The whole thing grows as you become more in tune with each other.
At the end of the day if you love each other that will get you through the ups & downs of life.

The Panda speaks Silliephosically

And life is not a box of chocalates as the Panda would have eaten it.

[SickLude]

I think marriage is about trust, commitment, mutual understanding, spontaneousness, and of course the biggest thing....love. Im sure theirs others, but those are the biggest to me. Common Interests are important too, along with things you both disagree with.

[moondog]

....and one more thing: loyalty. There's not enough loyalty around nowadays, which is really sad. It's about sticking things out even if it doesn't feel so good; you make a committment, and you stand by it, and the person you committed to. And if you do that, I believe things can and will work out ok - even if it takes a while.

[darkness]

No offence to anyone here.

Love is an illusion propogated by the instinctual need to procreate.

[moondog]

hey, it's all chemicals, but we might as well enjoy it

[JD@af]

Originally posted by darkness
No offence to anyone here.

Love is an illusion propogated by the instinctual need to procreate.

Hmmm... that seems to be my conclusion as well, most of the time As Al Pacino said about love in The Devil's Advocate "over-rated - chemically speaking, equivalent to eating large quantities of chocolate."*

*Please note that I have not seen this movie for quite some time, and this quote is not verbatum.

[darkness]

As a good friend of mine says:

Guys should live together, and use women for sex.

It would make the world a much better place.

[Spec2 Girl]

Originally posted by darkness
As a good friend of mine says:

Guys should live together, and use women for sex.

It would make the world a much better place.

Excuse me!! I hate to break it to you, but we’re not just on this planet to provide you with entertainment!

["Pandamonium"]

The definition of WIFE

W= Washing
I = Ironing
F = Food (cooking)
E = Entertainment

This is ment for information purposes only.

The Panda made me do it.

[JD@af]

All right, this thread needs to have the intensity turned down a notch. Remember, this is Philosophizing, not OT. The offensive crap needs to stop. Hate to be the dick, but somebody needs to. Let's stay on-topic, and if you've got harsh responses, back them up. Thanks in advance.

[Spec2 Girl]

I also think another key to a successful marriage is having the ability to accept each other as they are knowing that you both have faults and not trying to change them.