Last we heard, the Centers for Disease Control said smoking causes more than 419,900 deaths each year in the United States, making it the leading preventable cause of death. If Felzenberg wants to live to a healthy old age, kicking her tobacco habit will provide much better insurance than slipping on a wedding band. It is downright arrogant to wave the marriage banner at a time when millions of Americans are not legally allowed to marry their partners. Same-sex marriage is not legal in any state in the country. The fact is, one size does not fit all.
Some people love living alone, while others thrive in big families.
Some are gifted bedtime story readers and boo-boo kissers, while others adore the freedom of childfree living. Some women can't wait to become Mrs. Somebody, while others cringe at the thought. Trying to push everyone into the marriage box is an old tactic. Some religions added their voice to the cause by labeling unmarried relationships sinful. More recently, flawed social science research has been put to the same use in an attempt to convince people that marriage is scientifically advisable.