What is the point of marriage?

Question

I never personally saw the point. Why do two people who are in a normal, perfectly healthy relationship want to ruin it by turning each other into property? It doesn't seem to make the relationship better than it already is, and half of them end in divorce anyway (in other words, married people break up at about the same rate as unmarried people), so honestly what is the point?

What's the downside of just living together forever if that's how it's meant to be just on the merit of your own love and trust, instead of the false sense of security from a contract and a ring?

Real answers, please, not lame defensive little attacks. I'm not trying to bash anyone, I just want to know.

If you didn't even attempt to answer my question, guess what, you got reported.

Answer 1

a lot of ur points make a lot of sense....marriage is a man made institution, ans its not for everyone..for sum ppl marriage means stability, for sum its a sign of commitment and for sum like its sheer stupidity...marriage can beautiful and it can b disgusting..like ne other relation...its abt love and commitment....i wud have loved to lived together and not marry, but i did marry...do i regret it? yes at times....

Answer 2

The point of marriage is the vowes. When my wife and I got married, we swore to put the needs of each other above our own needs. We did this (as the saying goes) "before God and everybody." Our family, friends, etc were all there and witness to the promises we made. If we break those promises, we aren't just liars to each other, but we're liars to those that are closest to us as well.

As to your figure that as many people who are married break up as those that are dating, almost all dating couples eventually break up, so even if only half of all married couples stay together, it's better chances than dating.

Living together has the feeling of being temporary. It's a "trial" or "test" or whatever to "see if we're compatible" etc. It doesn't work, because it tests the wrong things and puts you into a cycle that always ends badly. But when you stand in front of your closest friends and family and promise to be there for each other to "have and to hold, as long as we both shall live," that feels kinda permanant. Feeling can become reality. If it feels temporary, then it can become temporary. If it feels permanant, then it can become permanant.

Does marriage make anyone "property?" I'm not even sure what you're trying to mean by that. What is it about marriage that makes someone property?

Answer 3

Those who get married do not go into it with the idea of being owned or owning another. its about true commitment...or at least its supposed to be.
There really isnt a downside to being willing to simply live together. But I think its typical that when a couple are together for so long, one, usually the woman, starts to feel like he doesnt love her enough to make that last final step tp really and truly commiting.
People jump into marriage with the wrong ideas. Meaning, they have the preconcieved idea that if it doesnt work or it gets too hard then they can just get divorced. Marriage is not supposed to be taken so lightly.
So, although you may be right about half of all marriages ending in divorce, dont forget that half dont.

Answer 4

Kewtber has given very good benefits of marriage.

I give below my reasons:

The real transforming work of marriage is the twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment. This is the crucible that grinds and shapes us & our character. Marriage calls us to an entirely new and selfless life… Any situation that calls me to confront my selfishness has enormous spiritual value.

How come two people "who are in a normal, perfectly healthy relationship" ruin it by marriage???? Many of us think that we are normal but when put to test we fail.

Selflessness is giving way to selfishness of late which is the root cause of failed marriages. The welfare of children was high priority before 1950s in America and parents took pride in grooming their children into responsible citizens. In recent years the welfare of children is the biggest casualty as reported in The state of our union, 2005 report. Here is a passage from the report:

The report states Americans on average are having fewer children and currently less than 33 percent of all households include children. That compares to 1960 when slightly less than 50 percent of all households included children. It is projected that by 2010 only 28 percent of American households will include children. This declining figure and the diminishing presence of children in a majority of households inevitably results in fewer homes, neighborhoods, and communities where the interests of children hold high priority. Of the households that do contain children, a significant percentage fail to provide the stability a child needs. The report noted the increased percentage of children growing up in fragile homes due to increases in divorce, out-of-wedlock births, and unmarried cohabitation.

Overwhelming data shows the best environment in which children thrive and grow is a stable, harmonious home with both biological parents.

I hope you realize that our children are our future and if we do not provide the best environment for their growth then we are jeopardizing our own future.

Besides the above the basic points of marriage are the following:

To ensure preservation of the human species and continuation of the human race,

To provide spiritual and legal foundation of the family.

The human race is different from animals as we have the ability to think and make choices. Animals do not have the institution of marriage and they co-habit with one or multiple partners. Should humans also do the same? I think not.

You don't need a contract or a ring in some societies but you need the commitment to sustain a marriage through all its ups and downs. If you look at the questions in this section, it is clear that many do not have the commitment and are living like animals. So many questions on infidelity between partners are evidence that we have lost the human responsibility towards our spouse and are debasing our marriages to the level of animals.

Your question seems to justify that debasement. Plz note that i am not bashing you.

Answer 5

in my opinion the point of marriage (beside the religious part which i am not even gonna touch) is that u are telling someone that u love them so much that u are willing to spend the rest of ur life forever bonded to them thru thick and thin u will always be there for them now and forever more. and as for stats it is true that the divorce rate is high but there are reasons for that one is the fact that ppl get married at too young of an age and don't know hat the hell they are doing. two is b/c ppl are marrying ppl they don't know. prim example my cousin she met married and had a baby and is now divorcing a man she knew fro barely a yr. and three most ppl who live together b4 the get married doom the marriage from the start b/c like they say don't play at marriage just do it.

Answer 6

One reason financial. Income taxes- claim single through the year and married for filing you would be surprised what you get back that way. Also, if you don't have strong credit it is easier to get a home or car loan. And insurance-most health insurances wont add you unless you are married to the policyholder. One persons insurance might be better and/or cheaper.
But, there is no downside to just living together either. I am certainly not telling you to get married just so for a tax break ;)

Answer 7

sometimes i think the same way as you because i was with a woman for about 5 years and everything was great then we got married and i thought from that moment that we each devoted our lives to each other then my wife left me after about 11 months of marriage. but understand that some people value marriage and some will do whatever the hell they want (married or not) because that's what makes them happy at that time. you have to find someone who values marriage the same as you..then marriage has meaning.

Answer 8

to each their own, dear... It is indeed your life and your choice...Best of Luck!

just from a legal standpoint here are some rights married people enjoy that un-marrieds do not:

Joint parental rights of children
Joint adoption
Status as "next-of-kin" for hospital visits and medical decisions
Right to make a decision about the disposal of loved ones remains
Immigration and residency for partners from other countries
Crime victims recovery benefits
Domestic violence protection orders
Judicial protections and immunity
Automatic inheritance in the absence of a will
Public safety officers death benefits
Spousal veterans benefits
Social Security
Medicare
Joint filing of tax returns
Wrongful death benefits for surviving partner and children
Bereavement or sick leave to care for partner or children
Child support
Joint Insurance Plans
Tax credits including: Child tax credit, Hope and lifetime learning credits
Deferred Compensation for pension and IRAs
Estate and gift tax benefits
Welfare and public assistance
Joint housing for elderly
Credit protection
Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans

Answer 9

LOL. you tell me. i got separated a year after I got married. the wedding plans seemed to take longer than the relationship.

Answer 10

I wonder the same thing. Being married is a pain!