Right, but that's part of acceptance, not assigning roles.

Having said that, I agree that when you move in together you come to agreement as far as who does what around the house. But that's just the house chores, and I honestly don't see any gender specific assignments. Guys can cook and clean, women should be able to do what men do (unless physically demanding I guess).

Same with children. Ok, some parts, like pregnancy and breastfeeding can't be shared, lol, but everything outside that is not defined by marriage imo.

But to me, the concept of a woman defining herself by her role in marriage (or her role in a relationship for that matter) is something I just can't come to grips with. Someone who says to herself, when I get married I'm going to stay at home and just cook and clean, I just can't understand. Didn't they have a life they enjoyed before? Don't thy still enjoy their job, their career?

I put this to you. If you never got married or been in a relationship, would you be a lesser person for it?

So, let's say we exclude children from the equation, which I believe should be a shared responsibility, but anyways, people my age are usually empty nesters.

Then, the role of homemaker is simply to cook and clean? What if the guy is a gourmet cook?

My ideal soul mate, if there is such a thing, is a woman who has defined herself already outside of the traditional definition of marriage. Someone who has found her place in the world already, independent, not needing a man to complete her. To me, marriage is not entering in some form of definition, marriage is the simple formal declaration of kindred spirits. Marriage does not change who we are, or what roles we should assume in life. That's just my view.

As I get older, I realize that I'm probably in the 1% of men who are non traditional in their views of marriage. Probably stay single for the rest of my life, but that's ok. But I won't compromise on this.

confused

Ok, this is why some men (like me) get all confused about this.

You want a man that will protect and take care of you, and you stay at home and do the homemaker part. Fine, that is a gender role assignment, and that works if you accept it.

But then you turn around and complain that men don't share in doing the homemaking part as well.

Sorry, this doesn't make sense to me.

To the OP.

Sorry buddy, but when you say don't judge you because of your perspective, you're being naive. People DO judge you by what you say and your ideas, and while everyone deserves respect from others (at least that's what I believe), I can almost guarantee you won't make many friends that way. They'll always look for the angle, because you will never offer them anything without wanting something back.

Just sayin'

Awww shucks maam, such kind words coming from your fine self.

Lol you see, good looks and the whole equality thing goes out the window. jk

Oh my, yes, saw that one... very disturbing. Glad to see someone else found it disturbing yet fascinating.

Ok, to add another sorta unkown one:

Time Crimes - interesting twist(s) on time travel

That's why I said PADDED! And EASY TO CLEAN!

So after he gets done bouncing around and slobbering, you can just wash it all down.

Actually you forgot the part where he wears nothing but an apron and a smile!
Lol

District 9! Great flick, but I think Prawns and I think, mmm, seafood.
I don't think I've seen the others, I'll put them on the menu.

Two of my favorites on Netflix:

Let the Right One In (the original)
Rare Exports - a very interesting take on Santa Claus!

didn't know there was such thing

Oh, absolutely! Equal play, equal pay, equal stacking the hay... ok yeah, lame.

But yes, have always believed that. Even put 1 1/2 exes through college!

The only hard negotiations would be between house cleaning and yard work. I tend to negotiate towards the yard work side.

But as a single, you have to do it all anyways, so why not split even?

... with padded, easy to clean walls!

Ok you two, get a room... a toy room! lol.

What movies, little seen or long forgotten maybe, just touched a nerve with you?

Couple of mine:

On the Beach - very depressing but touched something in me. I grew up in the Cold War, where any day I expected to be basically vaporized or die a slow agonizing death. But it is uplifting in a way too, love among the desperation.

Zorba the Greek - Zest for life, my best description. Totally opposite from the other movie. And, I can identify with the Greek culture because of my background.

Quotes for Thanksgiving:

Enjoy the little things - Zombieland

Well, that was absurd, let's eat dead bird! - Home for the Holidays

I drank what? - Socrates (ok, not a movie and I made that up lol)

And a Thanksgiving well wish from me too! Hope it all works out for the best.

You mean heat? The hotter the better, I'd say.

Hey buddy, three reposts is quite enough! You're spoiling the fun for the rest of us young folks lol.