with silver bells and cockle shells, and pretty maids all in a row

Two days ago I watched as one of my classmates from high school got married. Sitting there watching the beautiful ceremony take place, my mind was racing. I was so happy for her, but at the same time, I wondered if she was just fulfilling the biggest expectation of her life.
I grew up in a very conservative church and school where the greatest accomplishment any woman could achieve was marriage. Rarely were we encouraged to go out a make a career or a life for ourselves away from the home. If we found a husband (preferably a minister) and popped five or six kids all the while submitting to our husband's guidance, our purpose in life would be complete. Growing up I heard so many girls tell me how they just wanted a husband, no education. They wanted to have a man around to take care of them and do mundane household tasks... changing a lightbulb on a ceiling light, painting a room... anything that they could easily do but are too dainty to perform the job. I never got it though. My mom raised my brother and myself by herself with my dad living 5 hours away. She is the one who took care of us, took care of the house. Everything that was supposed to be the "man's job" she did, and often times could do it better. The whole "get married and start a family" business wasn't what she wanted to teach me either. She wanted me to learn how to take care of myself and make something of myself.
So I guess I don't get it when 20 year olds are getting married without really planning for their future. Luckily, I know my friend is goal oriented enough to finish getting her education, and I know she can deal with starting a family at the same time too. Not too long ago, another classmate of mine got married as well, and now she is pregnant. She's been married for 8 or 9 months. A baby (in my mind, I know some people disagree) is wonderful news, but is she just giving in to the expectations that were shoved in our faces since we were children?
And why is it that the nuclear family, June Cleaveresc, way of living is considered the norm amongst conservative families? Why is it that the woman is considered to be almost inferior to the man (He is the head of the home, she must submit)? I guess I'll never know.
I do know though, that my friend was beaming on Saturday. She was really truly happy, and I think thats what matters more than anything.