I wish my father/parents felt that way. I'm fairly certain they feel it's still a necessary "show of respect" despite the fact that I disagree with 90% of my parents opinions on everything. But my dude knows I dislike the idea of marriage proposals in general, so I think we'll be good on that one.

True, it's based on what each parent makes, but the child support is not meant to be ALL that the child has to live on. The primary parents is assumed to be spending an appropriate amount on the kid as well.

The idea of child support is that the parent paying it is providing half the costs for the child. The primary parents makes up the other half. So that would be $3500/month for that child.

Well, the idea of child support is that the amount the person is paying is HALF of what it takes to care for the child. The idea being the primary parents pays the other half. So, in all that would be an estimation that it takes $3500/month to care for a child. I live on less than that a month, so I can't imagine a…

As a (lapsed) Mormon, I can tell you it's very much the norm, especially in unmarried relationships. Adults that are dating are stuck in this very weird world of being adults, but being very juvenile in regards to the opposite sex. Things like a kiss, or hand holding are seen as steps that mean a relationship is VERY…

Ugh, that brought to mind the "purity balls" that are supposedly all the rage these days. Teenage girls pledge their virginity to their fathers, or something, until they get married, when the father gives permission to the husband to deflower his child.

Yup! I used to see it all the time. I always thought of that in the same vein as the whole reason women can't have the priesthood is because the men NEED it, because women are already so much more spiritual, so the men need it, and also, it means they are in charge. So frustrating.

That's so funny, my boyfriend's and my niece's birthdays were yesterday, and there are 5 more birthdays of people I know this month. There must be something in the water over here!

My friends and family don't believe/mock me when I say I don't want an engagement ring, nor a diamond wedding ring of any kind. And they don't believe me when I say the reason my boyfriend and I aren't married isn't because he doesn't want to, but because I am perfectly happy with our life as a cohabiting couple.

I consider myself a feminist, and I had to google Bella Abzug.

I assume it's a typo.

Actually, having been raised in the Mormon religion, on at least a couple counts his views differ from the teachings of the Mormon church. Birth control is a non-issue (take it or don't, whatever you like), and the church is of the 'rape and incest abortions are ok' view, and really doesn't take a political stance…

Well, that's the point. The people they are calling have done the exact same thing. Called people at home and made mention of their children, or their school, or other such personal information. Those protesters claim to be Christian so, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Bible says it's ok!

Yes, because I've almost been hit on a number of occasions while running, due to inattentive drivers. This place is dangerous for people on foot!

I'm in SLC too, and I can't tell you how many times I've almost been hit by a car turning right while running, when crossing at an intersection with a green light for pedestrians. I finally took to either waiting until I made eye contact with the driver before crossing, or just running behind a car waiting to turn…

Because....? We're known for the religious fanaticism of Mormons, rather than being unintelligent. Or at least that's what I thought.

I agree, I really have no idea how we have so many train-related fatalities here. It's just mind boggling. And when you are near the train tracks, you can't miss the fact that you are near train tracks. There are signs and gates and all sorts of things to prevent inattentive crossings. Maybe we actually have some kind…

As someone who lives in Utah, and hears on the news weekly about some jackass being killed by a train, I support any legislation that makes an effort to stop this. I suggest genetic testing to keep stupid people from breeding, but I doubt that will get passed.

Yeah, I said they "used to" be the private club thing. And I've definitely figured out ways around the rules! I have my boyfriend buy a shot of vodka if I get a mixed drink, and then I just dump it in my glass once the bartender has turned around. That has been working pretty well!

I live in Utah, I could tell you a thing or two about crazy liquor laws. You can't buy ANY kind of alcohol at the grocery store other than beer. And that beer has a lower alcohol content than the rest of the country (3.2). Everything else you have to get at state-run liquor stores. And bars used to have to be called…