I’ve always thought that it would be easier for a woman to remain single than for a man.
You bring up some valid points about non-trust with women, however.
Thank you.
I think your is the conventional wisdon, but take children, just for an example. In the USA, a woman can:
1. Have a child and make the man pay/support
2. Abort the child without the man’s consent
3. Give the child up for adoption without the man’s consent
4. Even abandon the child at a fire station up to age two and face no legal repercussions (but the man would pay the state for care)
In short, legally, women hold all the power in this regard, married or not married.
There are similar issues with regard to spousal support, alimony, and division of property.
And there are worse issues with alleged (or actual) domestic abuse, with women easily able to strip men of basic rights (e.g., travel and right to defend himself with weaponry) just on their word. On allegation alone, a man’s freedom is in jeopardy, and, even if he defeats the case, he would be financially ruined via the court system.
And then in the marriage itself (even in an otherwise healthy Christian marriage), there is the belief that “a woman is entitled to be happy” (which I agree is a good thing), but it’s not a “right.” It’s a goal. “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy,” is funny, but now women in the USA think they have the right to be happy, regardless of what her quest for “happiness” does to the husband. This, in turn, leads to divorce.
Similarly, while men are also failing in their obligations to lead the family (which is considered bad in secular society, so they abdicate) and love their wives (which means do anything necessary to please her in secular society), women don’t respect their husbands or permit them to lead. American women are not equals, they are domineering, in general. Admittedly, they use soft power to domineer, but they do, in no small part because the legal and social power all lies in their hands.
Yes, there are many exceptions to what I say, but it is the majority of “modern” marriages in the USA.
American men are cowed and know the deck is stacked against them.
So no wonder they are checking out from marriage -— and no wonder good men seek a life of celibacy, even outside the Church vows.
Marriage (or any relationship with a woman) is just too risky and troublesome.