Men don't need to be married either. It is the man that carries the financial, emotional, and legal burdens that comes with marrying a women in America. That is actually why marriage rates are falling, men aren't interested anymore. You can pander to women all you like but never forget that women control access to sex, men control access to relationships

I can’t roll with most of this.

It’s absolutely true men don’t need to be married. Historically, there has always been a segment of the population who never do. Many of them in more Puritanical times were presumably gay, but not all. Other men marry but more or less ignore their spouse.

But generally speaking, one of the areas I agree with Jordan Peterson is that men don’t do well without women. Men without sex is even worse — a society of hormone-fueled young guys who can’t get laid is a recipe for disaster.

Sorry, folks. In this regard, we need them more than they need us.

Moving on, it’s inaccurate to say the man “carries the financial, emotional, and legal burdens” that come with marrying, particularly if he wants children.

Financial: Traditionally correct, but primarily because women have been barred or at least discouraged from working and receive a lower salary. As this changes, the situation will diminish. We’re already at the point where it’s challenging for a family to thrive without a second income.

One area you may be overlooking is that human pregnancy is arduous, and the woman needs support. This is a division of labor situation — if a man wants a child, she is doing all the heavy lifting. Supporting her financially, emotionally, and legally falls into the category of “the very least he can do.”

Emotional: If you consult the literature, this tends to be incorrect. Men in our society are typically emotionally stunted, and women tend to do the emotional heavy lifting in a relationship.

Something we might agree on is that much of what’s now called “toxic masculinity” is not the man’s fault. It stems from the toxic environment society creates for men. We’re taught to be emotionally reserved but physically and financially aggressive, then at times those traits are held against us.

Legal: I’m assuming you mean divorce? This is an area where we’ll have to develop as a society — the system is based on the traditional idea that women deserve a large chunk of her ex-husband’s property for specific — and 100% valid — reasons: (1) the man was the breadwinner while she cared for the children, so she doesn’t have a career or the financial wherewithal to survive on her own, and (2) she’ll be the sole support for those children because he won’t be interested in caring for them post-divorce. As society changes, some of these notions will have to be adjusted.

If women can have successful careers of their own, then they’ll need less from their exes. However, she’ll still deserve some if she sacrificed her financial future for pregnancy, child care, and/or supporting her husband’s career. Unfortunately, that support will have to be for the rest of her working life — by delaying the start of her career, she gave up some of her future to help him. Hence, her prospects will always be lower due to that time lost.

Child support can change if both parties agree to an equitable arrangement for care and financial expenses. This is typically not the case, however. If he, as usual, steps back, he’ll owe money for (1) the extra work/money she’ll have to put in as a single parent and (2) the effect of childcare on her earning potential.

Marriage rates: are you sure you’ve identified the correct reasons? Most of what I read cites various factors. For instance, women are growing more liberal and men more conservative, to such an extent the gap can’t be bridged.

I don’t blame them for that — I would never wed or stay married to a MAGA spouse.

Women are also withdrawing because marriage has always been a burden — for instance, they’ve borne the brunt of infidelity and physical/emotional abuse. They also need a partner less because they tend to have better social support networks.

There are reasons why single women live longer.

Pandering: it amuses me that some people think any man taking a pro-woman stance is pandering. I’ve even been accused of writing articles like this for sexual gain. Sorry, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I’m happily married and just saying what I think.

Access: I’m not sure what “women control access to sex, men control access to relationships” means. The first is true — as much as feminists hate the idea of women as sexual gatekeepers, that’s how it is. She’s at the receiving end of the action and has more at stake, both socially and physically (pregnancy). It’s common throughout the natural world that females are more selective. They should be.

However, we are supposedly an advanced species, so human males should learn to control themselves and treat females with more respect. Gatekeep thyselves, brothers.

What does controlling access to relationships mean? It takes two to tango; both parties have to opt in. Do you mean he’s in charge because “It is the man that carries the financial, emotional, and legal burdens”? In that case, (1) you can’t complain about the burden if you’re benefitting by using it for control, and (2) the situation is changing as outlined above.