Is being married, having kids, and retiring to a life of barbecues in the suburbs the purpose of life?

Question

I live in a painfully small town where the only recreation is to eat at the latest restaurant that opened in town. It's a farming community where there is really no industry. the majority of the jobs are food service and retail. The only thing to look forward to is the annual fairs that come into town, oh and the circus. At night, the only recreation is to go one of local bars and get plastered. I've been led to believe by some people I've talked to over the years that this is considered a "nice, safe, and quiet" life. But, it also strikes me as boring. I'm not saying that I would prefer a hectic, noisy, dangerous big city. But it would be nice to see some diversity in how people live their lives. Not everyone wants to live a life of PTA meetings, soccer games, and backyard barbecues. Am I being naive or does anyone share this opinion?

Answer 1

I share it. For the love of God, I share it.

Of course, the purpose of life will always be subjective, depending on who you're asking. To someone coming from a severely underprivileged environment, perhaps nothing beats the simplicity and perceived security of a suburban middle-class existence.

For me, coming from a suburban middle-class existence (and watching my parents divorce, as is narrowly and ethnocritically mentioned in the answer below) has shown me how empty and misguided the whole lifestyle can really be. Sometimes people have this pre-determined notion of the way the rest of their life will go, and yet the acceleration of change in our society can drastically change those plans and send people into despair and depression.

As for the few who are exceedingly privileged and wealthy all their lives, well I certainly can't speak for them, but my hunch is that their task is to find any true purpose or enjoyment out of life in spite of being spoiled by their comparative luxury.

Answer 2

I lived in two country towns back in the eighties and it seems very little has changed. Yes, I think it was boring and I now live in a suburb not far from the city, which although it has its drawbacks (eg traffic, higher crime rate, more noise) I think it is preferable to being totally bored. There is entertainment though I have reached an age now where I probably wouldn't go to nightclubs. However, there are many more facilities than a small country town has so I don't regret moving. If I were retired, I might consider living in a country town again because it would then suit me to have closer community. It can become just a little inpersonal in suburbs. That, of course, is just my opinion.

Answer 3

The grass is always greener. I'm a housewife with children and live in the burbs of a big city and am rarely bored. Start a project, start a small business, get a part time job(if you don't have a job), get a pet, plant a garden, take up a hobby, workout, spend more time on Yahoo Answers. Being a wife and mother isn't for everyone, but you should have figured that out before you did both. Chances are if you are not happy, its not about where you live. The reason for your boredom could lie a bit closer to home (if you know what I mean). Are you happy in your marriage, do you have close friends, how much time do you spend doing activities with your kids? Look inside yourself, geography is just that, if you are truly happy, you can be happy anywhere!

Answer 4

Sometimes what you don't know won't hurt. If you start on thinking about things you don't have, places you haven't been and situations you haven't experienced, it will begin to make life more complicated since you will start to have "wants' in life. Your supposedly peaceful life will start to crumble because you shall be bothered with a lot of "what-ifs". I'm not saying that you should be totally contented of where and what you are right now because it is typical of a human being to search for more. But sometimes asking for more when everything seems to be in right place could be dangerous. So perhaps just device of an idea that can break the monotony. But don't hate everything around you now just because you think it is much more better somewhere. Remember, home is where you find true happiness.

Hope I shared you something worthy.

Answer 5

No, you are speaking the truth. People who only have the largest TV or biggest SUV as a sign of their success will not stay happy for long.
You sound like you know that things like helping others, making a difference in the world or society and finding the values that are important to you are the real goals you need to go for.
If Church doesn't work for you then start checking out books. Read some biographies of people like FDR and Gandhi. Talk to the old people in your town who are happy and loved. Keep looking. The most interesting world may be right under your nose.

Answer 6

I grew up in a really small town. I don't do bars. Too many of the people with whom I went to high school, and too many of the children of the people with whom I went to high school, were killed in drunk driving accidents out in the country around the small town where I grew up. I honest-to-God used to enjoy sitting out in the country at night listening to the corn pop as it grew and the crickets sing. Marriage didn't work, kids grew up, never had a life of barbecues in the suburbs. But the corn still pops when it grows and the crickets still sing.

Answer 7

actual no longer! the point in existence is to be chuffed! For some people who's getting married and having teenagers, for others that's being effectual of their occupation, for others that's to be as loose as achieveable, and the probabilities are high countless! i'm 27 and that i purely have been given married, and that i'm extra beneficial than chuffed, yet i could be depressing if I had gotten married at 22-24! I had lots of issues to do before I have been given married, and that i nevertheless have lots of issues i choose for to do before I even have teenagers-(and according to hazard I in no way will, who's conscious?) the point in existence is to be chuffed, to no longer stick to a pair societal mold! So be chuffed on your persons that they are pleased with their lives, and be chuffed for your self which you're pleased with yours! Congrats on taking part in your independence! =)

Answer 8

Just remember to invite me to you`re barbecues! Lol, nah. But you`re life seems pretty nice, maybe once in awhile head out of town, you know? If it`s too quiet, then make it loud. Just be happy with you`re life, a lot of people have it worse.

Answer 9

I DO share your preference.
Some like that way of living and some don't.
I've been living in NYC since 1991. I have close friends who still live in the suburbs: house, kids, etc. I was drawn here. They were not. I felt dead there, actually.

Simple: To each his own.

Sounds like you need to do some explorin'!

:-)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 10

No it is not the purpose of life.
polyamorus hedonism is.

fathering offspring is a prime objective...with as many women as you meet nearly.