I don't usually talk too much about my opinions on-air and online - because on the drive home, it's really all about having fun and making you laugh after a long day. However - I read this article from Cosmopolitan the other day that was shared by one of my Facebook friends - and was completely BLOWN AWAY by what I read.
The article claims that asking your girlfriend's father for permission for her hand in marriage isn't a sign of a respect - it's a deeply sexist practice. The article goes on and on about why it's sexist without ever making a true, concerted effort as to giving a concrete reason why (in my opinion).
This is one of the most outlandish things I have ever read in my entire life. Even more outlandish was a comment that I read along the lines of "you're not your dad's property" -- who said anything about ownership or property??!
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And if you don't agree with me - I love you anyway. Varying opinions is what makes our country great.
To me, it's absolutely a sign of respect. But on top of that, it's the right thing to do. Look at all the problems in our society today. The divorce rate is over 50%. People are unable to sustain serious long-term relationships.
Most of the problems in our society today are caused by one simple thing: a lack of respect. Whether it's a lack of respect for oneself, others, the community surrounding an individual.... a lack of respect can likely in one way, shape, or form, be traced back to a lack of respect for SOMETHING.
For example, let's look at my past relationships. I've had four serious girlfriends of more than 2 years. Two of them - I had no relationship whatsoever with the girl's father. One of them had family issues, the other father just wasn't interested in having his daughter's boyfriend around. Still isn't today. The other 2 - I was close to the girl's father. EVEN SO... if I ever planned to propose to one of the two girls that I had no relationship with her father - I would have never done it without the approval of the girl's father.
Marriage is supposed to be bringing two families together. Bringing together two people that love each other, and embedding them into the other's families. Yes, many people have that crazy mother in law, and there may be family issues and broken families. But ultimately - a marriage is about building a family and bringing two together to share and be supportive.
But, Adam, you're so old school, bro. Marriage isn't that today. Get with the times, you old fashioned 80 year old in a 29 year old's body.
Just so the future Mrs. Rivers knows, two quick things:
1. We have to name our first boy after Tom Brady.
2. I will ask your dad for permission to propose to you.
To that - I say that doing the right thing for a marriage, and doing the right thing for a successful family environment for everyone involved is never going to be old fashioned to me. Being respectful of a family is never going to be old fashioned to me. If you want to judge me for that, go ahead, but I'll own that all the way to my grave.