Is Getting Married an Accomplishment? Woman’s Blog Sparks Debate

— -- For a bride, her wedding day is magical but not every single woman thinks getting married is the most important goal.

When Natalie Brooke wrote an article saying she didn’t think getting married was a major accomplishment, she sparked a fierce debate online.

“You don't have to have a brain, drive or special skill set to get married. You just have to have a willing partner,” Brooke, 27, wrote in an article last month on the Huffington Post.

Brooke talked to “Good Morning America" about her views.

“I've noticed for a long time that getting married is put on a much higher pedestal, especially for women than any academic, professional, volunteering, or hobby-related success is and I've always been confused,” she said. “Don't get me wrong, getting married is a huge event, but I don't think it's an achievement and I don't think having a ring on my finger makes me unique or special.”

Of course, proposals are still important but things are slowly changing. According to the Pew Research Center, for four out of 10 women, having a successful marriage is only one of their most important goals.

Especially for those who have never wed, marriage remains a life goal. About six-in-ten (61%) men and women who have never married say they would like to get married, according to the 2010 Pew Research survey. Only 12% say they do not want to marry and 27% are not sure. Men and women’s attitudes about marrying for the first time are not different among young adults. But among never-married adults ages 30 to 50, men (27%) are more likely than women (8%) to say they do not want to marry.

Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist and bestselling author, weighed in.

“It's true that we're still coming out of a cultural time when ...getting married was [a woman's] license into the world of accomplishment because they could own their husbands' accomplishments,” she said. “That would be a sad reason to feel accomplished at this point for getting married.”

Brooke’s article drew a strong reaction. Some people accused her of attacking women for their choices.

Brooke, who is recently engaged, said she thinks some people may have misunderstood her position.

“They think I'm saying love and relationships and marriage isn't important and that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is, it's not everything,” she argued.

She is focusing on getting married and having a lasting relationship.

“What is an accomplishment is making it year after year after year,” she said.