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 In my thinking, those responsibilities are tied to having a family, not a consequence of marriage per se. In that context I would certainly agree that having more responsibilities means “carrying a heavier load.” But the partnership of a marriage is meant to lighten it, not weigh it down further.

In my personal opinion having a family is well worth all of that, especially looking toward the future. My framing has always been thinking about what I want to have when I’m 70. Responsibility today means a big family when I’m older where I can finally let a lot of that weight off and I won’t be alone and wishing I had made different choices or cared too much about what my job had been. Basically it seems to me like choice between living without responsibility today, and being alone without options in 30 years. Or carry those responsibilities now, and be vastly better off and have a supportive family in 30 years.