Relationship vs. Single experiment

[PyroChamber]

Say that there's a man whose been married, or in a relationship, for a long time (20 years at least); and a man whose never been in a relationship before and been alone all his life.

If the two of them switched places, who do you think would be able to adapt more to their situation; the married man being single or the loner being in a relationship?

 

[redmarvel]

The married man would adapt more easily. He's used to change because a marriage is constantly changing.

The single man would have a hard time of it. Trying to get used to another person's habits and idiosyncracies is difficult.

 

[Erzengel]

I think that depends on the situation.

I knew a guy who met his woman, lost his virginity, got married and got her pregnant all with a year and a half and he was pushing 30.

I couldn't relate to this because obviously I've had a different life. But he was kind of the submissive type around her, always "Yes Dear". The best metaphor I have for him is Cameron from Ferris Bueller.

But even though he probably was pretty much a loner most of his life, I think there was a need for him to be with someone and I think when the opportunity came, he jumped at it.

He seemed to adapt well to having a gf, marriage and fatherhood, but maybe it was because his wife has been planning her marriage since she was a child or both parents seem to make things easy on them with the baby. Or maybe he seemed to cater to her because he is like Cameron, she finally gave him what he thought was the end all be all of human existance.

 

[November Rain]

it depends at what age the married man got with his wife.

all in all i think the single person would be able to adapt better...

people in general find it hard to be on their own after being in a loving relationship for such a long time and having it end abruptly for no reason like in the example you stated...

while a single man, although may lose some of his free time will enjoy the perks of married life and settle down to it much better, as will the majority of people sooner or later if you believe that's the ideal way to go about life.