Marriage - What is the point?

[stan1980]

A not so wise man once told me that you should get married, as you're not supposed to be happy all your life!

But a question more for the non-religious, what is the point in marriage? Is it just for financial security if things go wrong?

 

[Bombila]

Sometimes having a marriage certificate just makes things easier. If my man ends up in hospital, I have to prove we are a long term couple in order to be able to consult with medical persons. While that can be done as a common-law spouse, it's easier to just whip out proof of marriage. Same goes for lots of instances where you have to prove a relationship.

Some of us like the traditional trappings of marriage. My husband, for example, was keen on having a legal marriage, while I didn't really care, so we got married.

 

[Polycarp1]

Stan, do you recall what Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong answered when someone asked him to explain jazz?

 

[stan1980]

Stan, do you recall what Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong answered when someone asked him to explain jazz?

No

 

[Alexandrah]

As non-religious person that does not desire offspring, aside from the obvious companionship and legal aspects of marriage I see no point. If I did desire children then I would see much more of a reason for getting married.

I think that my opinion may be a little skewed though as I came from a single parent household with an independant parent that never married.

As an adult I am employed, insured, and I own property all without the assistance of a second income so that makes it equally as pointless.

 

[Lynden1000]

I don't think there is any "point" in terms of the grand scheme of things. I think it's just human nature to pair up with your mate for the long-term and also human nature to structure our lives through the use of ritual. And of course there are practical benefits, just as there are benefits of virtually any other contract into which people enter.

 

[jayem]

Past studies have shown some correlation between marriage and better health and longevity. Though such an association is not consistent, and not always the same for women as for men. And AFAIK, such research hasn't looked at non-marriage pair bonds.

Here's an article from HHS with more detail:

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/07/marriageonhealth/rb.htm