The quest for kest.

It allows a groom to continue his studying in yeshiva, and the bride to raise children, without worrying about expenses. It allows us to raise talmidei chachomim in every generation.

However, it's not for everybody. Keep the following considerations in mind:

Employment. If the kest is for a specified, limited amount of time, after which the groom will be employed, then consider the loss of seniority. You will start off at a later age after you stop your kest, as a junior-level employee. By that time you could have been able to work up to a higher position, with a higher salary. True, studying Torah is of greater value than money, but you should be aware of the tradeoff.

Control. You are no longer in control of your independent life. Instead, your in-laws, who are supporting you, will have a say about what and how you do things. This might be a factor in deciding whether you're going to want that kest. When you take kest, then you have to listen to those who are giving you the money. That's not necessarily a bad situation, but not everybody can accept this situation.

Intermediaries. You are going to be introducing your in-laws into your lives. As a newlywed, you might not know your in-laws that well. It might not be clear whether they will cause friction.

You will be beholden to those who support you with the kest. Since "there's no such thing as a free lunch," you're going to have to repay that free lunch, and you will owe them a big favor.

As a result, you may have to make a greater commitment to others than most couples have to make in marriage.

Although you want to reduce the stress in your marriage, the kest might increase it, while increasing the possibility of stress.

These factors do not mean that it is wrong to accept kest.

However, it does mean that under certain circumstances, and with certain people, this concept may be become kestionable.