Married Love? Ask the Kids.

In their simplicity and honesty, children can undercut an issue with surprising clarity. For instance, ask them if it's okay to kill a baby. Universally, they will offer an emphatic "no," not to mention an amazing array of surprised and funny looks at you for even asking.

So, what do they say about love and marriage? I won't often offer humor online here unless it's my own, save for this rare occasion of insights from the kids for a jaded and weary world that can no longer see straight. (I cannot recall where I found these years ago online. Makes me wonder what kind of responses children would give today.)

What Exactly Is Marriage?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Marriage is when you get to keep your girl and don't have to give her back to her parents" -Eric, AGE 6

"When somebody's been dating for a while, the boy might propose to the girl. He says to her, 'I'll take you for a whole life, or at least until we have kids and get divorced, but you got to do one particular thing for me.' Then she says yes, but she's wondering what the thing is and whether it's naughty or not. She can't wait to find out." -Anita, AGE 9

How Does a Person Decide Whom to marry?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "You flip a nickel, and heads means you stay with him and tails means you try the next one." -Kelly, AGE 9

"My mother says to look for a man who is kind....That's what I'll do....I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome." -Carolyn, AGE 8

Concerning the Proper Age to Get Married. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Eighty-four Because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom." -Carolyn, AGE 8 "Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife" -Bert, AGE 5

How Did Your Mom and Dad Meet?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"They were at a dance party at a friend's house. Then they went for a drive, but their car broke down...It was a good thing, because it gave them a chance to find out about their values." -Lottie, AGE 9 "My father was doing some strange chores for my mother. They won't tell me what kind." -Jeremy, AGE 8

What Do Most People Do on a Date?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." -Martin, AGE 10 "Many daters just eat pork chops and french fries and talk about love." -Craig, AGE 9

When Is It Okay to Kiss Someone?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." -Allan, AGE 10 "Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you....If nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." -Kally, AGE 9

The Great Debate: Is It Better to Be Single or Married?? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "You should ask the people who read Cosmopolitan" -Kirsten, AGE 10 "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them" -Anita, AGE 9 "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -Will, AGE 7