Well, I'm not married and i never have been, so you will have to take my answer with a grain of salt.

I must admit that i like Twinkie's answer for what people look for in marriage - friendship, companionship, and love despite great faults. Also it seems there needs to be physical attraction and at least some common interests.

This blog series has hit a personal note with me because i have really been evaluating what i look for in a partner lately (not necessarily marriage for me yet, as they say marriage is a young man's folly and an old man's comfort; yet i'm not sure if i completely agree - we'll have to see where life takes me!).

I am still trying to figure out why I got married!

First:  Marriage in and of itself had become percieved to be an ideal, just like celebrities and gods. 

Secondly:  If a guy is only looking for women who can cook, this next generation is going to be sadly dissapointed.  I can cook better than 90% of the women I know.

As far as what women are good for: Thats just a loaded question which men will make insincere sexist comments, and women (who are equally as sexist) will get mad over. 

I think most people get married because that is what society expects of them.

I also think Punkin almost had it right. But add to the sex and cooking and cleaning the KID factor. Men want to leave a legacy behind. ha. AND splitting the bills. Men get married so they have something that gives them sex and half their paycheck. hahhaha

Wow, I've just been thrown into a dark world ... How sad.  I always thought a man would marry me for more than sex, cleaning, and cooking (I can cook, thank you WIT - Wife In Training, hahaha).  I always viewed marriage as companionship with someone you are in love with.  I never broke it down anymore than that and figured as a women I had more to offer than sex, cleaning, and cooking.  Oh and the fact I may not be able to have more children after "Cervical Cancer 2005", I guess that gives me even less to offer.

I suddenly have the urge to become very single again.  Or at least stay away from those average guys.

There are 4 types of love needed to make a marriage complete: Agape, Phileo, Storge, and Eros.

Agape is an unconditional love, it loves when all other types of love quit, and cares when there is no apparent reason to care.

Phileo is the kind of love that makes agape love enjoyable. Phileo love is the tender affection you feel toward your mate. Most friendships are built on phileo love. Phileo love is that "something" that you see in a person that draws you to them to be their friend.

Storge is a physical show of affection that results from a pure motive. A hug, kiss, or another expression of genuine affection. Women usually need this kind of love more than men.

Eros is the fulfillment of the physical sexual desire. The animal attraction.

"When all four types of love operate in a marriage, the marriage is complete. A picture of a complete marriage is a husband and wife who lay down their life for each other (agape love) no matter how many times the other offends them or causes them to have ill feelings. They both have tender affection toward each other (phileo love). They enjoy each other’s company because they’re best friends. Because they enjoy each other so much, they hug, kiss, hold hands and do nice things for their mate (storge love). Because their hearts are filled with agape, phileo and storge, a warm passionate desire arises within both of them to enjoy each other sexually (eros)"

Blog view # 10001!
I feel special now!

I was familiar with the concept of Agape and Eros before, but had never heard the terms Phileo and Storge. Thank you for writing such a concise explanation! =)

Ok, so this may sound a bit sexist (and perhaps it is), but i think i tend to identify with the female stereotype more than the male stereotype with regards to love. When I look back at previous relationships i have been the happiest in periods where there has been a lot of the Storge type of love (both giving and receiving).

Who came up with the concepts of Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape?

WOOT!  I was viewer 10000, unless they don't count me over and over ... and it was someone else, well then I don't know who might have mysteriously popped in!

Christopher Taylor you are viewer 10001, I must give you a prize this Saturday, lol!

Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape are Greek terms :)  I first read about them in a psychology class.  I've encountered two relationships in my life that I felt each of these types of love ... and it's so true about Eros coming after the first 3.  Otherwise it's just Lust.

 

 

Okay, Pumpkin is getting frustrated, he says we are all going off subject.  He wants to know "What are women good for?"  Not "Why do we get married"  He says he never intended for marriage to be on the subject.  He just wants to know what women are good for.

So answer me this ... "What are women good for?"

Ok, back on topic then!

Well.... women in general. Lets see; there was that lady in the Hummer H2 that cut me off today! Perhaps she was teaching me a lesson in controlling my road rage? There, that's one thing!

First, I must admit that i don't really care for the question itself. It is a little sexist.

Secondly, I find it kinda hard to answer without hitting at least an 8.5 on the cheese-O-meter.

Where shall we start?
Moms are good for cleaning out scrapes and scratches and always caring and lending a helping hand.

Sisters are good for picking on and giving a hard time to. Also, they make great friends and people that you can really count on.

Women that are friends are good for advice and for hanging out with when you don't care to watch the big game.

Girlfriends are great (duh?!?). In the best of situations they are best friends, lovers, and caretakers. Not only are they all that for you, but it gives you the opportunity to be all of that for another person, which is a great thing in itself. There is nothing greater than knowing not only that someone is really there for you, but that you are there for them as well. They inspire us to better ourselves. To go to the gym more, to eat better, to treat others with respect (even that lady with the H2), to laugh more, to really live. They give us the opportunity to be in these relationships; which is not only fun, but helps us to learn about ourselves.

I like women.

I feel that i have a unique authority on the subject (eventhough i have not yet been married). I have 2 moms, 3 sisters, and have had a lot of girlfriends (serious and not). From each and every one of them i have learned something.

ok, now how was that for cheesy? =)

Women are good for everything. It seems like when you marry a man he becomes a boy or child that can't do anything for themselves. They have to interrupt you at work or wake you up to consult on everything from paying a bill to freakin what should they take out for dinner. They want to be the one who wear the pants but they can never take charge. So we are not just good for cleaning, cooking and sex, we are here to be your mommy.