I could use some advice and perspective. As I prepare for the birth of my baby, I'm considering whether to marry my partner and sign legal documents beforehand to ensure his rights as a father, especially in situations where I might be unwell and can’t tell the nurses what I need during childbirth.

However, some of my friends, who are strong feminists, believe that marriage perpetuates patriarchal norms and compromises my independence because I used to be a single mother with my first son 8y ago. And now having my current partner signed to adopt my first son is so precious.

I do value my friends opinion on this issue (because I kinda asked for it, and they were there for me in that time) and want to make decisions that align with my beliefs as well, but I also want to ensure my partner's rights and our family's stability. What are your thoughts on this?