No matter what you call it--shacking up, living in sin, living together, cohabitating--it's illegal in North Carolina. And Deborah Hobbs, who lives with her boyfriend in Pender County near Wilmington, found out the hard way that some people still enforce a law that's been on the state's books since 1805.
That forum is pretty interesting. I think the law is way to outdated and it is NOBODY'S business what we do with our lives. If I want to go and live with Matt, the crazy bible thumpers can mind their own business. I believe in God and everything but they are taking the Bible to a different extreme on that forum. Matt's family said we shouldn't "shack up" Like anybody can tell us what to do. I spend the night with him every weekend, and yes, we do have a romantic relationship and if we lived together, the same things would go on. I know I will learn more about him if we were living together and that's better than getting a suprise when we get married.
They also go on to say stuff about teen pregnancy. They think it's wrong if they aren't married, blah blah...BUT, not all teen parents are bad. I've seen some great teen moms and dads and terrible 30-40 yr old parents. They singled us out.
"They also go on to say stuff about teen pregnancy. They think it's wrong if they aren't married, blah blah...BUT, not all teen parents are bad. I've seen some great teen moms and dads and terrible 30-40 yr old parents. They singled us out."
I thought you were saying you were a teen parent. I have seen pics and didn't remember seeing any pregnant ;)
I agree that it shouldn't be a law. But I don't necessarily agree with living with someone before marriage. What's the point of getting married if you already know what it's gonna be like?? Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free, know what I'm sayin?? No offense, I don't judge anyone at all if they choose to live with each other before marriage, I just didn't think it was right for me. I loved the SURPRISE about moving in with Brad right after we got married. It was like a total shock. We were already having sex, but I wanted to save something for a surprise when we got married. That is just my opinion, everyone else has theirs. My aunt has lived with the same guy for like 15 years, I think and they've never officially gotten married. Commonlaw, probably, but not official. And my best friend lives with her fiancee. It doesn't bother me a bit. But my parents and his parents both wanted us to wait till we were married to move in together. Brad wanted to, but I value the opinions and beliefs of family, and of myself, so I opted not to. I think that if I had moved in before we'd gotten married, Brad prolly would've backed out!! LOL. I can be somewhat hard to handle at times. I definitely have a mind of my own, and I don't like housework!! LOL But do what you want to, Heff. I will think no less of you. But I do agree that it is not something for the courts or employers to decide, whether or not you live with someone before marriage. Personal choice.
The key factor here, is that the law was on the books in 1805, when times were quite different. And based on things such as strict religion and oppressing women, etc. Another law on the books to this day is I believe in Maryland, where you may strike your wife on the steps of some state building every day, twice on sunday, or some nonesense. I'm serious. The specifics elude me, but the point is, it was put in place in 1805-1807 as well. Now I dare that sheriff to take his wife to Maryland and try hitting her on the street. But, it is actually legal.
No one changes these laws because they are so 'out there' for todays' times, that they simply aren't enforced. They're ignored, but no one has taken the time to pull them. I say live and let live. If those who abide by the bible, and their interpretation of the laws of christianity feel it's wrong, then don't do it. But Buddhists or Satanists or Wiccas should not have to abide by a christian idealism in today's America.
But I do agree that it is not something for the courts or employers to decide, whether or not you live with someone before marriage. Personal choice.
