I think what Lauren was aiming at was that it seems by these comments that Charlotte wants to get married, but perhaps Gavin does not. The ‘unhealthy’ environment she could be referring to is a home where the parents don’t want the same thing, not that the parents aren’t married. I am a bit traditional and honestly don’t understand why committed couples don’t want to marry, but I do understand that is their business, not mine. The most important thing is that kids are raise by parents who love and care for them and provide a safe home and family, regardless of their marital status.

Lisa – Why does a wedding have to equal longstanding commitment? If a couple has already been living with someone for years, and both don’t care whether or not they marry, then what’s the importance of just a piece of paper – I know marriage entails a lot more than that, but since those kinds of couples are already basically married, that would be the only change. Also, the idea of just being married could change the expectations and overall atmosphere of the relationship. So, for everyone, getting married isn’t the “easy” experience that you had.

Lauren – Being an unwed couple does not mean you’re not a family, which your comment implies; and secondly, do you know Gavin and Charlotte personally? Can you confirm that their home is, in fact, a terrible environment for a child to come into? How do you know their level of commitment/Gavin’s desire to marry her?

I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes, but…

In Lauren’s defense, I don’t understand why a couple with kids, who have been together for years, wouldn’t get married if they are in such a “commited” relationship. I could understand choosing not to marry if you were expected to give up your firstborn or you had to lose an appendage when you said “I do”, but getting married to my husband was the easiest thing in the world. It was after the wedding that things got a little rough. We managed, though, and are very happy today. That being said, it seems to me that if you’ve already taken the time to work through all the kinks of being in the same household with another person and you’ve gotten used to each other, then you’ve already got a hand-up on managing the difficulties of marriage. Why would you choose NOT to do the easy part and instead, just get married?!?

Lauren can i just say what a terrible comment that is you just made.
Me and my partner have been together for just over 7 years now. We have lived together for 6 , have a daughter who is 5 and a son on the way. We are not married and i dont see why we should be.It would make no difference to our lives atall. We are a loving,secure,happy family and that is what matters – not a marraige license.

I can’t believe how young Charlotte looks here-she looks like a 16-17-year-old, not a 20-year-old! It sounds like she is holding out hope that Gavin will marry her and they can become a family, but she is unsure of whether that will happen. That is a terrible environment for a child to be born into.

Hmm, seems that Charlotte wants to get married, but Gavin doesn’t. Poor Charlotte.

for some reason i think that british men don’t like committment…i work with alot of them who have been dating these women for over ten year, and have kids with them, but they refuse to make that committment..

maybe it is just my experience