A lot of Indian girls (I'm not sure if this happens in your country too, I'm guessing it would in a primarily conservative society) often have to grow up hearing things like, "We'll get you married, and then you can do what you want", when we express the want to do something that is "not allowed" in our family. This does not restrict to life's bigger decisions like having kids of our own or adopting kids, or even bringing home a pet, but also to the smaller ones like, getting a tattoo or buying and riding a bike of your own, or even painting your room. There is a general lack of respect for individuality and in the process, a lot of us (actually, this one sentence includes our men too) are living a life that we cannot truly call our own. We aren't being ourselves. We are living a lie. Most of us (women), get married only because it's a passport to our freedom, without upsetting our parents. I wish Indian parents stopped looking for happiness in seeing their children "settled", because "settling" with (for) someone is the most unsettling thing one can do to themselves and to that person. Of course, for those who marry for love, I'm the happiest for them! Those who choose not to marry, I'm happy for them too. At least you people aren't doing anything under a compulsion. That's awesome! :) Those who feel like surrendering, it may seem like the easy road to take, but don't take it unless YOU want to, please, for your own sake.
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Dhaara T