(Untitled)

[sionnagh]

"We little realize that the question, "Why should we marry at all?" is predicated on a flawed perception of humanity. In today's world, we look upon ourselves as being whole, complete individuals. Although we readily acknowledge our blemishes and imperfections, we do not see ourselves as being fundamentally incomplete or deficient. We believe

Comments

[fallenpegasus]

Interesting points.

[randysmith]

Chuckle. This makes sense to me, but I really don't think it's taken far enough. Have you become aware of Babara Ehrenreich's new book _Dancing in the streets: A history of collective Joy_? From the summaries I've read, it argues that we are much much more individualistic today than we evolved to be or were through much of the middle ages, and that that individualism has resulted in a much higher incidence of depression and similar diseases.

So I think the points you quote above are valid, but that two isn't enough (and not, this isn't a defense of polyamory, which is a much trickier subject--it's a defense of intense group life and joy in that context).

http://www.salon.com/books/review/2007/01/22/ehrenreich/
http://www.barbaraehrenreich.com/dancinginthestreets.htm

See what random thoughts your posts provoke? :-}

[madbodger]

Interesting, if a bit narrowminded. I think people vary more than that. Some people have pretty
solid coping skills for life issues, and severely limited ones for relationship issues. Such people
are often better off without a partner. Some pairs of people work very well paired off. Some
people have more needs or fewer need-serving skills, and work better in groups. And, as ever,
I believe that two people are not nearly enough to raise children. Children are a lot of work and
a huge source of frustration and joy. Sharing that frustration protects both the children and
adults. Sharing that joy improves everybody's lives. And the more different personalities and
role models children are exposed to, the better they'll understand themselves and others.

In short, two isn't a magic number for everybody.