Is marriage really important? There is a lot of controversy about marriage and its appropriateness. Some people believe it is and others believe it is not. These opposing opinions cause this controversy. “We Don't Say 'Yes'” by Dorian Solot explains that marriage is not necessary to maintain a relationship nor a necessity to keep it healthy and happy. Solot believes that when a couple gets married, things change. In “For Better, For Worse,” Stephanie Coontz expresses that marriage is not what is traditional in society because it has changed and is no longer seen as a dictator for people's lives. The differences between these two essays lie in the writing style and ideas of the author. “We Don't Say 'Yes'” and “For Better, For Worse” have different writing styles. First, Dorian Solot's essay is in the first person. Solot says, “I must have missed the day at preschool when they lined up all the little girls and injected them with the powerful serum that made them dream of wearing a white wedding dress” (490). This sentence is an example of how Solot's writing style is primarily in the first person. However, Stephanie Coontz's essay is in the third person. Coontz states, “Until the 1960s, two-thirds of college women in the United States said they would marry a man they did not love if he met all of their criteria, often economic” (497). This is an example of a sentence where Coontz's writing style is in the third person. Second, Solot's writing style is very personal. Solot discusses his personal ideas, experiences and priorities. Solot explains: "In my early twenties, about three years into my relationship with my partner, Marshall, the occasional subtle hints that my family and friends were ready for an engagement announcement decided...at middle of paper... ...a couple should not live together or engage in sexual activities until they are married. If I had to agree with one of the authors, I would agree with Coontz because society no longer focuses on marriage. Most people I know don't view marriage as the primary goal of their daily lives. I also agree with Solot and Coontz on same-sex marriage. I don't support that same-sex marriage is a correct way of life, but I do believe that they should have the right to love whoever they choose. Overall, these essays were enjoyable to read because they provoked emotions and opinions in me. Works Cited Coontz, Stephanie. “For better, for worse.” The contemporary reader. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. 10th edition. Boston: Longman, 2011. 496-499. Print.Solot, Dorian. “Don’t say “yes”. » The contemporary reader. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. 10th edition. Boston: Longman, 2011. 490-492. Print.