Planning to get married is one of life's major decisions. If you and your spouse have had deliberations about getting married or are thinking about getting married but are unsure of the others feelings, you may find it helpful to list out some advantages and disadvantages.

This can be a great way to discover feelings and concerns.

Advantages to get you started

1. Marriage can provide long term commitment, security, and support. –

A marriage based on love and mutual respect where both partners have committed to love honor and cherish each other can endure even the most difficult challenges.

2. Marriage can offer financial benefits-

In most marriages, both partners combine their wealth managing talents and monetary assets into one.

3. Social and community acceptance-

Most people and communities won't directly discriminate against you if you are not married and living together. But let's just say that many more doors tend to be opened up for married couples that may not be opened for non-married persons.

4. Raising children as a team-

Unfortunately, single parent homes have become very prevalent in our culture today. That doesn't mean that they are a good thing however. Ask any single parent how easy it is raising a child, or children on their own.

Disadvantages of getting married-

1. Freedom to come and go –

Some people fear that after they get married, they will lose their autonomy. However, a marriage built on trust will overcome most of these situations.

2. Living with pet peeves –

Some of the most difficult pets to live with are the pet peeves! Everybody has their personality defects. Sometimes those little things like leaving the toilet seat up or drinking milk directly from the carton can really get under your skin.

3. Diplomacy and compromise-

This may be the broadest and difficult topic covered. If you have lived on your own for any period of time, and have gotten use to doing things your own way, you may find the constant compromising and negotiating with your spouse difficult.

4. When the going gets tough, you can't just get going-

Many times during your marriage you will wish you were not married. You will just want to pack up and leave. But the commitment of marriage really forces you to work a little harder at getting through the difficult times.

5. Your new extended family-

When you marry, it really is a "package deal". You don't just get your new spouse; you get his or her whole family. Dysfunctional or not! Personality differences, ethnicity, and religious beliefs are just some of the things that can make getting along with your spouse's family a real challenge. Just do your best and forget the rest.