IMO, (most) women don't so much look at marriage and/or enter into it thinking they're going to have the "legal Upper-hand" to "run the show" and "clean men out," like some conniving sociopath, but rather, they simply see every day--in their lives and circles of acquaintances and friends--that Married Men simply appear to behave more TAME, and acquiesce more to their wives agendas and wishes as opposed to their (Men's) girlfriend's.

Problem is, women don't realize that the married men's perceived TAMENESS (what women think they want) is really just a married man's FEAR-BASED adjustment (agreeing and acquiescing to many things he never would outside of marriage) to his realized WEAK POSITION in the relationship itself, because HE knows--as a married man--if things go south for ANY reason, legally, he's fucked.

Her psychotic need for "security" tells her his perceived "tameness" is just what she needs, but when she finally gets it, it's game over, albeit it may take YEARS for things to slowly, predictably deteriorate because of it.

Once women begin to sense (no matter how subtle) he's really acting out of fear--which he is--when acquiescing (backing down) to her demands in conflicts or disagreements, it's should come as no surprise her DESIRE, RESPECT and ADMIRATION for him WANES with sobering predictability, and consequently, over time, her pussy slowly dries up like the desert--even though she tries to lie to herself--consciously saying, "oh, he's just being understanding of my needs and desires, just going along with what I WANT because he loves me and wants me to be happy."

But deep-down, she knows the score, and is becoming more and more turned off--albeit slowly--because no matter how outwardly "macho," "alpha," "tough," or otherwise in control he tries to act, they both know, when under pressure, he's often "all bark and no bite," and will predictably roll over like a puppy when/if she really puts her foot down and pushes, and that's what slowly eats away at the relationship and eventually consumes it.

"Where's the man I married?"

"Why am I being so Bitchy and don't want to have sex with him?"

"He's a good man, good looking, but just doesn't turn me on any more."

"I LOVE him, but am not IN LOVE with him and don't know why."

Indeed.

In the past, when dating, every single woman I've had a longer-term sexual relationship with--eventually (sometimes right quick) I would begin to see those hypergamously-driven wheels just spinning away in her head--and knew she was mentally putting together HER fairy-tale fantasy of OUR future...picturing the house, kids, pets, Coach purses and trips to Walley World...

Tragedy is, I knew we had something that was WORKING, she's being reasonable, respectful, self-controlled, sexual...but I knew it was only a matter of time before she (they) would shift into a new relationship destroying gear and start pushing for marriage.

Didn't matter whether she (they) verbalized it or not, you know "marry me or I'm leaving you" time has arrived, and then the dread and sadness kicks in, because its pretty much game over.

Either you throw yourself under the bus and propose, or she eventually leaves...