What would happen if marriage was eliminated altogether?

Question

Do you think the world would be better or worse without marriage? Why?

Answer 1

I feel our culture is in a divorce crisis. Instead of eliminating marriages our gov should make it harder for us to get married. For starters every couple should have to take 3 months of couples therapy. During this time the couples are introduced to budget planning, joint accounts verses singular, children/discipline/religion, pets or no pets, big house or apt, each make a 5 year goal and compare them, in other words everyone should be made aware of the hurdles a true married couple must endure and still be able to compromise the issues that come up but not one another. Teach each couple how to keep their individuallity during the marriage. Teach them what is expected of the groom and the bride once the "I do" is over. That when you bring kids into this world your agreeing to give up any "party" rights. NO more selfishness. It's hard. Not to mention our morals in this country are sparse. Marriage is not just about commitment but also morals. I would have fared much better if I had been forced to do a 3 month couples class. But this will never happen. No one cares enough to place a law that would actually help the sanctity of marriage in this country. And it IS harder to adopt a dog than to get married. Terrible indeed to think that we as a whole would think more of protecting an animal than protecting the sanctity of marriage and giving our children the security they need.

Answer 2

We could get rid of the legal and governmental, but the life long commitment or goal for such a thing is almost universally human. If we could all recognise common law (same as biblical marriage if you study) and recognise the relationship instead of the ritual (some cultures have the ritual without the commitment), it would be okay. I don't think that eliminating marriage would happen, but eliminating the legalities and the ritual might just happen, of course it's not just one group doing this, it's cultural change.

Answer 3

Gold bugs don't understand the dangers of price deflation - when you introduce free market reforms in all other respects, real prices fall because of the efficiencies gained. Also most of those efficiencies were gained in the 1990s as a result of free trade, which Ron Paul opposes. That said yes, ideo, the Fed did cause the Depression. That's another issue the Mises-ians aren't 100% right about - - - - increasing the money supply by 50% over nine years, that was inflationary but the Fed overreacted, cutting not just the growth of money but the money supply itself, by 1/3, between '29 and '32. But Ron Paul wouldn't have solved the problem either, because he'd have supported the tariff!

Answer 4

I don't think that it's feasible to get rid of marriage entirely. It is so much a part of our culture that churches and other religious organizations would still continue to perform and recognize marriages, even if the government did not. People with children together would probably still stay together in a committed relationship of sorts anyways, even if it weren't legally binding.

If it were eliminated, however, I think it would be a lot worse. Women would be tied down to their children, with no one to help them raise them. There would be a lot more poverty among women, and children abandoned or out on the streets at a young age. STDs would be even more rampant, and people would be even less committed to trying to make relationships better.

The notion that infidelity and divorce would be less is ridiculous. Even in a dating relationship, infidelity could still exist. And "divorce" would just take on a new meaning. After all, people would still form relationships, still make promises, and some of those people would still break their promises. A pregnant woman whose baby's daddy leaves her is still going to go through the same frustration, sorrow, pain, and agony that a "divorced" woman feels in that same situation.

Answer 5

i think the world would be better because you won't have all the divorces and infidelity going on.. The world is not based out of marriage but people hold marriage up like it;s the thing to do..

But on the flip side of things you are going to have a lot of people running around foot loose and fancy free... Marriage is a commitment and that is what most people are looking for.. You just have to know what and who you want. Sometimes marriage is not for you, and sometimes marriage is what is going to make you a stronger person..

Answer 6

i really think it would be the same. many people would be happy still, i really don't think there has to be marriage involved to be happy. but there wouldn't be as many legal disputes over property and alimony, although child support and custody is still an issue. and of course, there is still the heartbreak of breaking up. that is not going to go away. marriage doesn't justify being upset because someone cheated on you, or you can't get along, or something like that.

what some people seem to forget is that there are millions of marriages out there where the people are happy. they have their problems, and they get over it. marriage is not the cause of divorce. people cause divorce. immaturity, infidelity, abuse, stress cause divorce.

Answer 7

I don't think much would happen if we eliminated marriage. It just doesn't seem to be taken too seriously anymore.

I wish there was a way to go back to the way it used to be. When you got married you stuck with it through thick and thin.

Answer 8

Probably worse.

You would have a lot more mothers trying to raise kids on their own.

Marriage is just another step in commitment to where government gets linvolved. I think overall it is a good thing.

Answer 9

I think worse. There's a lot of security in being married, both financially and emotionally. While half of marriages fail, half DON'T fail.
I think it should be a lot harder to get married...that would help!
Right now it's harder to adopt a DOG than it is to get married!

Answer 10

it probally would be better off no marriges so husbands or wifes can't cheat and there would be no divorces shacking would be easier so if it didn't work one could leave without going to court over a legal paper a divorce