So Why Have You Never Been Married by Carl Weisman (Review)

Released May 2008 (New Horizon Press) * 224 pages * ISBN 13: 9780882823263

So Why Have You Never Been Married: 10 Insights Into Why He Hasn’t Wed by Carl Weisman is one man’s investigation of why he is over 40 and not yet married. Since Weismann did not know his own reasons, he set out to ask other men their reasons in hopes of finding his reasons echoed back to him. In the course of his search, he surveyed 1500 men over 40 and interviewed 33. In the end he found that there are many reasons not to marry, but they are not the stereotypical ones society has led us to believe — at least not solely or even primarily.

If you’re over a certain age (which age depends on your gender and culture), you find yourself asked often “Why aren’t you married yet?” or “Why have you never been married?” Only if your family and friends are particularly well-behaved, are you spared this question. People who don’t know me very well sometimes ask, those who know me know better. Curiousity is allowed, but rudeness is discouraged.

So Why Have You Never Been Married focuses on men over 40, but the reasons these men reveal for never being married could just as easily apply to women. This book is part journey of self-discovery and part research. I found it very well done and respectful of the topic.

This is a book for both men over 40 who aren’t sure why they haven’t married and for anyone who is curious about why someone would not have married by 40 but has the good graces not to go around asking rude questions about personal choices. This is also a good book for single women who are nervous that there is something wrong a potential mate who’s unmarried at 40.