What if we started using the statistical excuse of why not to get married on going to college

[bdcjacko]

Occasionally when I talked to people about why they don't want to get married they will throw out, well half of all marriages end in divorce, so I'm not going to do that. And it always bothers me.

You know, roughly half of all college students in American drop out before getting their bachelor's degree. What if we started to argue why should I go to college, I have 50/50 shot of dropping out before I finish anything, and then I'll be thousands of dollars in debt. But you never hear that argument, or at least I never hear it.

This is just a thought that entered my head and wonder why people like to use statistical arguments for not going to get married but not against college.

Not, I am not arguing for or against marriage, I am not arguing for or against going to college.

Lastly, you don't need to quote my original post to discuss your view point.

My sources for the rough statistics are: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2010/10/28/High-College-Dropout-Rate-Threatens-US-Growth.aspx and http://marriage101.org/divorce-rates-in-america/

 

[Epona]

The difference is that it is up to you if you drop out of college. With divorce, the other person can make that decision for you. No fault divorce equals unilateral divorce.

 

[Bleedingskye]

eh I figure it's a way for people to avoid the actual conversation and say what they really mean. It's an excuse to stop trying.

 

[bdcjacko]

eh I figure it's a way for people to avoid the actual conversation and say what they really mean. It's an excuse to stop trying.

This is what I have always figured. I believe if you don't feel like you could handle being with one person or you have no idea what a healthy marriage should look like, those are legitimate excuses.

 

[bdcjacko]

The difference is that it is up to you if you drop out of college. With divorce, the other person can make that decision for you. No fault divorce equals unilateral divorce.

Trust me, the college can decide to kick you out unilaterally as well.

Not only that, but you can run into all sorts of speed bumps in college you have little control of.

 

[Canid117]

College will get you money in the end (Probably) marriage wont. (At least if your a dude)

 

[Epona]

The difference is that it is up to you if you drop out of college. With divorce, the other person can make that decision for you. No fault divorce equals unilateral divorce.

Trust me, the college can decide to kick you out unilaterally as well.

The college won't do that without a good reason. Colleges aren't human beings with shifting emotions that change their mind, they are a business.

 

[Jodan]

just because there is a high chance of falure does not mean i am going to try
100% of people end up dead but that doesnt mean im going to skip to the end. i have more to gain from tring and failing at marrage and university than giving up and not going at all. statistics can only be just that an excuse. just because 10 million people all agree dosnt make them right.

i run my life as i see fit and i see fit to try and learn from it

 

[bdcjacko]

just because there is a high chance of falure does not mean i am going to try
100% of people end up dead but that doesnt mean im going to skip to the end. i have more to gain from tring and failing at marrage and university than giving up and not going at all. statistics can only be just that an excuse. just because 10 million people all agree dosnt make them right.

i run my life as i see fit and i see fit to try and learn from it

love your attitude. That is how I feel.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

Both are silly arguments for completely dismissing the idea, but both are also excellent arguments for making sure you've thought things through before jumping in. I personally feel that almost no one is mentally prepared at 18 for either decision. I'm a firm believer in the old "take a few years, travel the world, figure out who you are" maxim. Maybe not literally travel the world, as most people can't afford that, but you know...

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Well, I have no intention of getting married, and I hold TWO Bachelor degrees, so...fuck statistics?
Seriously, do whatever you want. Just spare the rest of us with your whining when a) your marriage is failing, and b) you figure out college isn't for you.

 

[bdcjacko]

So far I am pleased how everyone is taking this.

 

[Karma168]

Well even if you drop out of university you still have qualifications that could help you earn more money during your life. End a marriage and you just end up with half your stuff gone and huge legal fees. Add to that that dropping out of university is more of a logical decision than the emotional one associated with divorce and it doesn't hit you as hard.

The benefits of university are pretty clear (better job, more money) but the benefits of marriage aren't, you gain no real benefit over just living together and face a huge risk in the divorce courts.

 

[PTSpyder]

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

 

[bdcjacko]

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

More than half of all college students do drop out.

 

[SillyBear]

just because there is a high chance of falure does not mean i am going to try
100% of people end up dead but that doesnt mean im going to skip to the end. i have more to gain from tring and failing at marrage and university than giving up and not going at all. statistics can only be just that an excuse. just because 10 million people all agree dosnt make them right.

i run my life as i see fit and i see fit to try and learn from it

I love every part of what you just said. Thanks, that really made my day.

 

[Nieroshai]

College will get you money in the end (Probably) marriage wont. (At least if your a dude)

If you're like my parents, the resulting kids "make good free labor." In Arizona, TECHNICALLY if your family works for you you don't have to pay 'em a dime let alone minimum wage.

 

[PTSpyder]

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

More than half of all college students do drop out.

This is true, but your question involved "using a statistical excuse". By definition a judgement based on statistics would not be an excuse unless the statistic was based of off faulty information, which in both these cases, it is not.

 

[SillyBear]

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

Just to be clear, stating a statistic is not the same thing as using an excuse. More than half of marriages do fail.

More than half of all college students do drop out.

This is true, but your question involved "using a statistical excuse". By definition a judgement based on statistics would not be an excuse unless the statistic was based of off faulty information, which in both these cases, it is not.

It can still be used as an excuse though. Excuses can be based off factual information, can't they?