should the oppressive patriarchal custom of marriage be outlawed?

Answer 1

It's worked for thousands of years. Society was friendlier. People were kinder. Families were far more secure. Children knew their parents and felt secure. The family was a very strong unit and union.
Without a strong family there is nothing.

Answer 2

You are correct: marriage is oppressive. It is also obsolete in a modern society. Lastly, it goes against our basic biological imperatives...so it is doomed to fail through adultery and/or divorce.

However, should it be outlawed? Realistically, that isn't feasible at this time. Also, human inclinations to pair off, at least for a period of time, and to formalize important relationships through ritual aren't likely to disappear.

If we are to do anything with the custom of marriage, our society would best be served by redefining marriage making it a much more dynamic and fluid institution that matches the real nature of human beings and their relationships. Needless to say, two legally consenting adults should be able to marry irrespective of their gender.

Answer 3

Marriage doesn't have to be patriarchal. In fact under in Ancient Ireland under Brehon law a woman could actually divorce her husband if he became obese.
I myself wouldn't see marriage as an option but more on the lines of not needing a silly bit of paper as proof of love than on any grounds of patriarchism.

Answer 4

No... people should be able to practice wedding ceremonies as part of their belief system. It should not be outlawed.

That said, maybe the tax advantages should be removed (they aren't that great, anyways). And perhaps you can designate whomever you want as your personal representative, to make medical decisions when you cannot, etc. Things spouses typically do.

-Married agnostic, but not in a church, and committed before the marriage, anyhow, so not really hung up on marriage.

Answer 5

it doesn't have to be patriarchal if it's an equal partnership.

I do think the marriage contract should make a comeback, setting down responsibilities and expectatiopns at the outset, and how to handle devairtions from those terms.

Answer 6

I thought feminism was about giving women the freedom to chose, not outlawing things you dislike.

Women in modern society have the right to chose if they want to get married or not.

Isnt that enough for you?

Answer 7

I'm no big fan of marriage, but I don't think it should be outlawed.

Answer 8

Why outlaw it? You don't have to do it in the first place. It is personal choice.

Answer 9

There would be millions of happy men if it were.
By the way, do you think that lesbians should not have the choice of marriage either?

Answer 10

I'd say we would have lost very little if we did away with marriage (aside from ruining a rich, cultural love of divorce).