Do you need to be married to be

[peterd]

fully committed in a relationship ?

[andy-hughes]

I don't think so. I believe that marriage is a statement of commitment for the rest of the world to see - it is entirely up to the couple of they wish to make this pact. It has no bearing on their commitment to each other.

[PinkFizz]

No,not at all.I think that sometimes you can be more committed without the "security" of a wedding certificate,as you try much harder to make things work,if that makes any sense.

[CiderMonkey]

no, i don't think you have to be married to be fully committed to a relationship. Plenty of people stay together thier whole lives without feeling they need to get married.

[suzi-q]

I don't know but I know that being married helps to give me a sense of security that I wouldn't have had if we hadnt got married. But then I'm not a particularly secure in myself person.

The commitment meant a lot to us.

[China Doll]

No, I lived with someone for three and a half years and was completely committed to them when I was with them, unfortunately it just didn't work out.

Some people prefer the comfort/security of marriage, some of us aren't sure if we ever want to be married but it doesn't stop you committing yourself to someone if that's what you want to do.

[SaxyJag]

No, I don't think you do. I know plenty of couples who have been together for years, will probably be together for the rest of their lives, and have never been near a marriage vow.

Conversely, I don't think it follows that married couples are necessarily committed. Often it can be quite the opposite.

At the end of the day what counts is how much you really do trust each other and make yourselves trustworthy. Marriage is only a piece of paper.

[noxlumos]

with regards to the name thing that fender mentioned my wife used my surname before we got married. It 's perfectly legal to call yourself Mrs.... whatever even if you aren't actuially married and most of our co-habiting friends with children do this.

[Pippa68]

I did the same, nox.

I was still going through my divorce when I became pregnant with mine & Mr Pippas first child. No way did I want the baby to have my married surname even for a minute, so I changed my name via deed poll with no intenetion of marriage.

I carried on like this for 10 years, and we married last year. We felt just as commited to each other in those 'unmarried' years as we do now. I don't know why we decided to marry all of a sudden, as we had felt perfectly fine as we were. But I do feel great being married ~ it was the icing on a very large cake :o)

[Pippa68]

fender it is perfectly legal to use any name you choose, either with or without deed poll. You can just start telling people you are now known as 'Mrs X' and away you go.

As long as you don't change your name in order to commit fraud, it is ok. My solicitor informed me that I didn't need the deed poll but it was something I wanted at the time.

[raysparx]

Of course you don't need to be married to be committed, but I am married,and I love being married,cos I married the most perfect lady for me,I got a real Gem in mrs sparx,and I have no regrets at all,but I would love her just as much if we had never married.

[tradey]

my husbands brother has been with his partner for 22yrs they have two children and are very happy,ive asked them when are they going to get married,i get the same answer every time,why should we,its only a piece of paper at the end of the day,i think there scarred it will change them,my mother inlaw keeps asking them when,but why should they do it just to please her,i wouldnt.

[Gill 05]

I don't think you need to be married to be fully commited in a relationship. I was totally commited to my ex for 13 years and being married wouldn't have made the slightest difference to how I felt about us.