How are you dealing with singleness?

[vern]

marriage is the freedom to love someone.

But a ball and chain if its the wrong person and they aren't loving; they just use.

[Barbllm]

I've not heard the term "ball and chain" used outside of dated comedy shows, but it persists as a  metaphor for how men are "chained" to a woman in marriage. 

 

I guess it persists because women (wives) become the most visible reminder of responsibility. Men who refer to their wives this way aren't showing them love or respect, and seem to be resentful of having to behave like a grown up. They might complain about having to do household chores ("women's work") but there's a better word for that: adulting. 

 

I also think this terminology persists because many people get married because they think they're supposed to, and not because they actually like the person they're marrying enough to live in the same house for 80 years.