In North America, more than half of marriages end up in divorce. In a survey conducted with NBC, one in five people have cheated in their relationships. We live in a society with an extended adolescence spanning well into a person's twenties. This allows youth to “feel out” life before large commitments and responsibilities. Why then, do 20 year-olds feel the need to commit to a relationship so young? Is this why the statistics are so high for cheating and divorce?

I like having a boyfriend. I love finding someone with whom I connect. Go to a movie, laugh, and yes, consistent sexy time. Perhaps because I am getting older or because I am newly single, but I think young, serious relationships are hindering.

I just realized how wonderful is it to be completely self-absorbed and focused on my own dreams and desires. If I want to pack up with the girls and go on vacation, no problem. Want to spend my internship in London England instead of London Ontario, how exciting! Even the most independent of partners still has to compromise bits of themselves and their lives for the other person. That's what being in a relationship is and I've done that BUT why compromise so young?!

I was in a very serious relationship for the past three years. Everyone including us assumed “marriage, kids…the whole shebang.” Yet, no matter how much we might have loved each other in those three years we both had changed and grown, so much that our goals and even personalities no longer meshed. It was hard to admit and even harder to accept, but we knew we had to be single for a while to fully experience our lives the way we wanted to.

As I sit and listen to my friends, both male and female, who are in long-term relationships I largely hear discontent. They have the “itch” to be single but are afraid to be alone. With an array of excuses and drama, I now just shake my head and say “break-it off.” If you are so young and unhappy now, do you think it will last? Or, that one or both of you won't end up cheating? You guessed it; my ex is part of the statistic of “cheaters.” He deserves full blame and bad karma for it, but looking back, there were many times even before he cheated that I was antsy. I should have trusted myself enough to fly solo, as should have he.

Yes, I have the odd nightmare of becoming the cat-hoarding lonely old woman, but in truth, I have realized that I am still very young. We are all very young. I am still afraid of the dark, but being alone? I have never been happier planning time around my gym classes and myself. I have realized the future is endless with possibilities, instead of which city “we” could both get employment in. Although now I am slightly jaded, I am still an idealistic romantic, thanks to Hollywood and Disney. Yet as my friends' juggle life and these relationships, I wake up in the morning, alone, stretch across my entire bed and think, maybe now I won't end up a statistic. I plan to focus on my desires, travel extensively and solidify my career. Then perhaps, I will “compromise” myself for Prince Charming.
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