[quote=AN]davelj, I don’t ask any of them whether they’re happy or not. I observe their actions toward each other. My theory is, action speaks much louder than words.[/quote]
Like words, actions can also deceive. My friends who cheat also kiss their wives and can be quite attentive when it’s required.
[quote=AN]
There are a gazillion variables in regards to human emotions. So, I would have to guess that no one is 100% happy all the time. By your logic, countries that don’t have divorce laws like we do would have 100% divorce rate, or at least 80%. What about countries that favor men in all things, like the middle east. They can keep their money, kids, and no messy divorce. Yet, why are they still married? I can’t tell you how many are happy after 30+ years of marriage, but I can say for certain there are more than 5.[/quote]
Actually, most countries have more liberal attitudes about husbands screwing around. So, there’s no need to keep up the farce of monogamy within marriage like we feel the need to do here in the US. See almost everywhere outside of North America and Muslim countries (where it’s all kept hidden for cultural reasons) for examples.
[quote=AN]
BTW, how do you know that those men who stick around because of kids, finances, reputation, and/or general inertia are not happy because of those things? [/quote]
Because they tell me? When someone says to me, “I’d divorce her in a minute if I thought I could keep my house, money and kids… but I know that ain’t gonna happen,” I tend to take them at their word. But that’s just me.
