Let's Discuss -- Should You Marry for Love or Money?

Which do you prefer: marry a rich prospect without love or marry the love of your life and build your future together? Since June is the most popular month for weddings, this seems like a timely topic. Francis Bacon, English philosopher and author said, It is impossible to love and be wise. He was definitely on to something; the divorce rate hovers around 50%. Ask women about what is most important in a mate and most respond: True Love! Women rate love higher than looks, status, or wealth -- it conquers all, right? Wrong. You can be deeply in love with someone to whom you cannot be successfully married. Mutual love is the ideal, but material security has been a marital motivation since the beginning of time. Up until about 200 years ago, people in the West married more for political or financial gain. The Victorian Era and Industrial Revolution created two changes in how people lived -- romance became all the rage and technological advances made life easier. Prior to these developments, divorce was incredibly rare but when love entered the picture as the reason to marry, marital dissolutions became more commonplace. People who don't marry for love in our culture are considered unlucky, suspect, manipulative, exploitative, and bad. Money can’t buy love is a cliché, but a true one. Money can buy initial attraction or lust, but true love comes from mutual respect, caring for each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at it’s best functions regardless of the size of your bank account. Join Life Coach Jenn A. Nocera of Formula for Excellence for a lively discussion. After the show, go to After Hours at Jersey Coastal Live for more info.