The idea of marriage was programmed into our consciousness as early as when we were kids. That's why when a young woman graduates from the University and goes away for her Youth Service, she has no intentions of going back to her parents house; not necessarily because she's no longer wanted there or because she has no desire of going back, but because her mind has been programmed to believe that after Service comes marriage.
Although I don't thinks it's expedient for a lady to go back to her parents house after NYSC; but what happened to the option of renting an apartment for herself? What happened to staying alone? Whatever happened to exploring the world, discovery self and finding joy?
Gone are the days when women were programmed to become domestic house wives, whose primary duty was to cook, clean and care for her husband and kids. Today, most women are gradually breaking away from that shackle; hence we now see the influx of women in sectors that were hitherto dominated by men. I'd like to say kudos to the women, but judging by the way most of them are still so desperate to get married, it's obvious they're not completely out of the woods yet.
It is the same programming that compels a young man who just got a steady pay job, to immediately start looking for a woman to settle down with. A case study is the recently employed 1,000 graduates by the Seriake Dickson administration in 2019. I can tell you that more than 70 percent of bachelors among those graduates are now settled down!
To be honest, I really don't like that expression: ‘settle down’. So does that mean as a single person I'm not settled down? Or haven't you met many jumpy married people? Lol.
On a serious note, I have always said it and would continue to say it — marriage is not an achievement! If it was, God would've permitted it in heaven. Marriage is nothing but a fashion of this world and everything about this world is gradually fading away.
So, don't let anyone guilt or pressure you into getting married. It's quite unfortunate that we treat being single as a plaque that must be avoided at all cost. I pity women in this regard... they have it worst. A man can bear to stay single till he is forty; but a thirty year old women who's still a spinster is already labeled in the minds of people as being a trouble maker that no man wants anything to do with.
In developed countries, people pride themselves in their singleness and free lifestyle. In backward countries like ours, you're haunted for being single. I don't mean to mock anyone, but if marriage is the source of happiness and fulfilment in this life, then married people would be the most happiest on earth. But I tell you, they are some of the most miserable people on planet earth! Forget all the fake smiles and posts you see on social media; if you know what some of them are going through, you'd be glad you're not married.
Every one of us have a right to be single (unmarried) for as long as we want. And if peradventure we do decide to get married, it shouldn't be out of pressure from family, friends or society, but because we've finally met someone who not only tolerates our person but loves and accepts us for who we are.
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