Whats The Point Of Marriage?

[nailit]

??
Is there really a point to it other than religious?
Or is it a legal issue?

Just never understood the idea of marriage.
Don't mean to be divisive or anything, just don't understand the idea of wanting to be 'tied' to anyone (in either the legal or religious sense).
Surely if you love someone, then everything else is superfluous. Binding, legal or religious contracts mean nothing?

I was with my last partner for 8 yrs. I thank God that I wasn't married to her after we broke up...otherwise I would have been stuffed.
No bitterness at all now, but if we had been married then it might of been a different story. Just wondering about how others here view marriage.

Id also like to get a 50/50 breakdown of how males/females view things.
Thanks ;-)

[Sqad]

No point at all in modern life being married, it basically is a method for the woman to feel contented and sure of her man.
That's it.

[pixie374]

I disagree sqad, it's more for men to have access to their children.
I've never seen the point in marriage, people should stay together as long as they are both happy to. To make it a legal arrangement seems bizarre.

[Sqad]

pixie...OK.
But what stops a man having access to the kids after not being married?

[nailit]

//But what stops a man having access to the kids after not being married? //
The family courts usually Sqad….

[alavahalf]

What if there are no kids ?

[pixie374]

Usually the woman lol. Originally, marriage was because a man needed to know which children were his, for inheritance reasons. That isn't really valid now, but the tradition has stuck.

[Sqad]

Court intervention, if necessary is provided irrespective of whether the parties are /have been/ married or not.

[MallyJ]

there is absolutely no point to marriage except it does give a modicum of security to those left bringing up children and to those who want to make themselves a bit more financially secure.....particularly if they have children or are not earning too much. It is open to abuse.....IMO!

[pixie374]

Until fairly recently, unmarried fathers had absolutely no right over their children at all. Now they only do if the mother names them on the birth certificate, or if they fight for it in court.

[tamborine]

Children for parental bond & security.

[nailit]

//Children for parental bond & security.//
What does that mean Tambo?

[tamborine]

Recognising & treasuring parental traits in your offspring. Defending your kids with your life. Two can fight better one!

[Old_Geezer]

Never really known, save that the State wants it as an excuse to give some privileges that others don't get given. No idea why they try to ensure couples feel they have to go through it. High time we got rid of the discrimination and treated all equally. Oh, and it's an excuse for a booze up, dance, feast, and holiday at the start I suppose; if one needs an excuse for all that.

[nailit]

Tambo,
Are you saying that couples should have children to look after them in later life?

[andy-hughes]

I married my wife as a statement of commitment, not only to her, but to anyone else who may be interested.

For the same reason, I have worn a wedding ring from that day to this.

I think we are traditional in liking the notion of commitment - but everyone's reasons are individual.

[nailit]

//Oh, and it's an excuse for a booze up, dance, feast, and holiday at the start I suppose; if one needs an excuse for all that//
No excuse needed for any of that O-G ;-)

[New Judge]

If a person dies intestate in England or Wales and they were married the surviving spouse gets all the estate (if there are no children) or the first £250k and half the rest if there are children.

If the same person dies leaving a "common-law" partner (i.e. they were unmarried) the surviving partner gets nothing.

The law makes a clear distinction between those who are married and those who are not and that's a very good reason to seriously consider the institution. Of course nobody needs or is forced to marry but they cannot expect the automatic advantages (such as the one I have pointed out) if they choose not to do so.

[andy-hughes]

nailit - // Tambo,
Are you saying that couples should have children to look after them in later life? //

I certainly didn't read that in Tambo's response - but we'll see when the reply comes in.

We have absolutely no expectation of care from our children, although I am sure we will receive it, but that is not from obligation, but from love.

[Cloverjo]

I was with my partner for 23 years before we got married last year. I feel more secure financially which is pleasing, but it’s also a way of saying ‘Hello world. We love each other this much.’

[tamborine]

Isnt marriage for pro-creation? No point otherwise!