I'm not completely against eventually moving in together, but am kind of unsure when or why we usually consider it to be some sort of inevitable goal of a successful relationship that is progressing.
The reason for this is that a successful relationship produces children, and you (and they!) want both parents around.
Some do, but children aren't a requirement for a successful relationship. Regardless, my comment already mentions that "this becomes more complicated if the couple chooses to have children"
children aren't a requirement for a successful relationship.
This is a very fringe viewpoint, particularly from a historical perspective. The normal view was and is that a relationship with no children is ipso facto a failed relationship. Consider that infertility was one of just a couple of valid reasons to have a Catholic marriage annulled.
As I said, the view that a successful relationship necessarily involves children is still quite current. It's not universal as it was in the past, but it is the overwhelming consensus.
I would love to see some sources for your claim that "the view that a successful relationship necessarily involves children is still quite current" and that "it is the overwhelming consensus."
Anecdotally, in my environment you would be hard pressed to find someone who thinks children are required for a relationship to be successful. Many people _want_ children, but are not deluded enough to believe the entire concept of "a relationship" is a failure without them (nor that it is a success with them).
Thanks in advance for any sources you can point me to.
Comments
The reason for this is that a successful relationship produces children, and you (and they!) want both parents around.
Some do, but children aren't a requirement for a successful relationship. Regardless, my comment already mentions that "this becomes more complicated if the couple chooses to have children"
This is a very fringe viewpoint, particularly from a historical perspective. The normal view was and is that a relationship with no children is ipso facto a failed relationship. Consider that infertility was one of just a couple of valid reasons to have a Catholic marriage annulled.
Luckily old views of Catholic or any other kind of marriage do not dictate the definition of a successful relationship in the modern age.
As I said, the view that a successful relationship necessarily involves children is still quite current. It's not universal as it was in the past, but it is the overwhelming consensus.
I would love to see some sources for your claim that "the view that a successful relationship necessarily involves children is still quite current" and that "it is the overwhelming consensus."
Anecdotally, in my environment you would be hard pressed to find someone who thinks children are required for a relationship to be successful. Many people _want_ children, but are not deluded enough to believe the entire concept of "a relationship" is a failure without them (nor that it is a success with them).
Thanks in advance for any sources you can point me to.