Chixe

I certainly do.

Preach.

I call BS, as noted by the first subtitle of that article, "AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES". That kinda puts these guys in the same category as those who would prefer to stand on the sideline than take a shot at making the goal and instead missing badly, or those who would rather hold tight to the security of the gym wall, rather than take a chance at asking that girl to dance with him at the prom.

Chances are, the men who are afraid of entering in to a bad marriage, are men who entered in to the relationship and let it proceed to that point with their eyes half open. Going in to any situation like that is bound to have some unpleasant circumstance.

When my wife and I started to think seriously about starting a family, I had some concerns and anxiety about what kind of dad I would be. I had that same kind of anxiety the first time I moved out of my parents home, every time I've gone out for the big job interview, every time I had a final exam or met with a client for the first time, any time I visit my doctor for some weird pain that Google says is a symptom of something really bad...blah blah blah

I push on through to the other side though. Sometimes it works, sometimes not -- but I'm usually better off for the experience.

You do make some good points, but this is probably a case where it just doesn't apply to all men. Some men would rather be alone and know they aren't fit for relationships, while other men fit under your description of them.

If you are ever scared to go to the doctor again you can call me up and I'll go with you. I always liked the lollipops they had.

...but this is probably a case where it just doesn't apply to all men...

Agreed. But still, a man who wants to be and can handle being alone is a far cry from a man who is "afraid of making mistakes".

In fact, I would argue that the best marriages are made up of two people who can operate in full capacity (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually) on their own instead of looking to have a void filled by their partner.

...call me up and I'll go with you...

Cool. I have a checkup coming 'round in a few weeks. Head out on I-10 east and then split off on 59 South and I'll meet you there around 4ish. I'll buy you a bag of lollipops.

Yeah that makes more sense and I agree with looking to fill a void usually ending up in disaster because you are expecting the other person to do something for you that you should be able to do yourself. Your life should be the theatrical release of a movie, complete and done with. Marrying someone is like getting the DVD version of your life with some bonus features. The movie was already good and now it's that much better with some deleted scenes.

As for the checkup, depends what kind of checkup. If it's the rubber gloves going in places we don't like then count me out.

Some of the best relationships are always the ones where both sides know what they are getting into, with no expectations.

So relationships fail. So what? Think about it this way:

Take no chances = 100% guarantee that there isn't a relationship there.
Take the chance = 50% chance that something good might happen.

My maths may be a little bit off but if there is some chance something good might come out of it, then I say take it. Life's too fraking short to waste on not taking chances and living by it.

Sure, marriage is a big thing, but no one is asking you to randomly pick up some girl off the street and propose to her. Relationships take time to build and come to fruitation. Chances are, even before you think about marriage, you'll know whether the person you're with is going to be worth spending more time or not.

I say not going for it is a half-assed excused for being dumb. If that's the case, then you deserve to be fraking single.

...Marrying someone is like getting the DVD version of your life with some bonus features...

Now there's an analogy! 5 points for you.

No rubber gloves. Rubber gloves usually requires something much stronger than a lollipop.

I think the title is the only really accurate part of the article.

It does point out nicely that most men are not afraid of marriage, just bad ones. I don't think that's an unjustified fear considering how many batshit crazy people are out there of both genders.

I don't see many men avoiding relationships because they are afraid they will turn bad. I do see men avoiding relationships because they can't make a good judgement on that yet, and because they just don't want that complication. The thing is, all it takes is one "right" woman to come along and even the worst commitment-phobic man will toss aside fears.