G Sharp

Well said, that's why it became a "heated" argument. But I think he can see the unfairness and immaturity of the "open option."

I told him that the reason he's even thinking of turning his girlfriend into a human emotional trapeze safety net is because of FEAR. Fear stemming from the need for social approval to be married at a 'certain age.' He and I share the same friends from college and about 80% are now married and some already on their second marriages... I guess he's looking at marriage more as a "social" option rather than the bouquet [or some New Yorker magazine readers would say-- the apotheosis] of shared goals and commitment --with a social/legal signifier.