I'll make a confession. I've seen some reality TV shows about marriage, where people get matched up in unusual ways, meet on the wedding day, etc. Something I have noticed on these shows is that some of the couples want to keep their finances separate. Some of them women want talk about wanting to have their own money. Some of the men talk about wanting to have an 'independent woman.' I wonder if they are thinking partly about finances when they say that.
It could be that the divorce rates for people who go on a reality show to find a spouse are so terrible, they think separating finances is less risky. But I wonder if this is just common for Gen-Y or Gen-Z folks who get married nowadays? My mom was a stay-at-home mom until we got into our teenage years. My wife was stay-at-home though we did run a small business that she did the lion's share of the work on during my graduate school years. We have run our household money out of a joint bank account. We have had non-joint accounts here and there when we had to start accounts fast after moving, and add the other one later. I think she had a joint account with her dad once to help him out with something. I have joint accounts with my kids that she isn't listed on. But generally, we have joint bank accounts and a 'common purse.'
After you get married, mom might home with the kids, someone might go to grad school. Merging finances makes sense.
When I hear these young couples on TV talk, it seems like they may not really want to commit all the way to marriage so much that it involves their finances.
My wife and I both have a desire to minister in the area of marriage and family. Watching these shows gives me insight into the way people think about these things. In general, I am a bit disappointed to see the lack of commitment to marriage, the idea that divorce is considered okay, and the overall thinking about marriage. One of the shows has a pastor who asks people if they want to get a divorce after so many weeks.
On the issue of finances, what do you think about married couples not wanting to merge finances? What do you think of someone who wants to marry... if you sign a prenup?