Is Marriage an out dated institution?

[Ethel mermania]

Marriage is nothing but government getting involved in property transfer between two or more parties (inheritance and division of property, mainly). Hence, marriage as a governmental and legal institution should be abolished. This would also let people be with whoever they like, be it a partner of the same of different sex as them, a relative or multiple partners. Hence, no need to establish gay, incest or group marriages in a legal level.

There is more to the legal institution of marriage than property transfer, and the government involving itself in property transfers is, obviously, not necessarily a bad thing.

i had to register the deed on the house with the town,

[Ifreann]

There is more to the legal institution of marriage than property transfer, and the government involving itself in property transfers is, obviously, not necessarily a bad thing.

What else is there to marriage as a legal institution excluding all the possible spiritual mumbojumbo?

Quite a bit.

As long as transactions are voluntary, a government is at best needless and at worst an obstacle.

Is that like how locks are needless at best and an obstacle at worst, as long as nobody is a thief?

[The British Galactic Empire]

- If people want to get married they should do so.

- If they don't, they shouldn't.

- No one should prevent someone from getting married if they want to.

- No one should force someone to get married if they don't want to.

Four simple sentences that unfortunately most of the world (even the developed part) seems to have a hard time understanding.

[The New Sea Territory]

If people want to get married, then go ahead. I see it as a religious and legal tool that really isn't necessary for love, so I don't see myself being married.

[Communal Ecotopia]

I am completely agnostic on social views on marriage as a whole...which is to say I don't care one whit what others do and believe marriage as an institution is neither beneficial nor generally harmful. I don't really see the lack of marriage today as either helpful or harmful to same-sex marriage, although I FULLY support SSM for those who want it. That said, I personally see absolutely no need for marriage for myself. I need no recognition before the State and God to love someone very deeply. Who or how I love is not the business of the State, though I firmly believe in monogamy and am not so secretly pretty mushy. It's just that I believe that mushiness is between me and my partner. I am, as yet, unmarried, but if my girlfriend of the future seriously wanted it, I would consent to marriage, despite my misgivings.

[The Scientific States]

I think marriage is institution that is symbolic and I don't believe it's outdated. Now, I'm not one of those people who goes on and on about how important marriage is, and I personally don't want to get married in the foreseeable future, but if two people want to get married, that's fine. It's a institution that's perfectly valid and a institution that should be available to all consenting couples.

[Communal Ecotopia]

Marriage as a religious rite should be available to anyone who decides they want it.

Marriage as a social contract recognized by the government has some convenient elements, such as creating instant contracts / powers of attorney / offspring protection. Other aspects of governmental recognition, such as tax breaks and divorce laws, are obviously in need of revision. If the government is offering an advantageous contract arrangement to any citizens who meet certain conditions (such as cohabitation and shared financial risk), that contract agreement should be available to all citizens. The religious aspect shouldn't play any role at all.

Agreed.

And seconded.

[Communal Ecotopia]

Civil marriage isn't, I think, as it provides benefits & rights to the couple.

I probably wouldn't want to have a ceremony for getting married, but I would want to share those rights with my partner.

As laws stand, that makes sense. And, yeah, if I did get married, I'd either not want a ceremony or only a very small one. I don't understand these massive weddings designed for everybody but the two people making the commitment.

[Othelos]

Civil marriage isn't, I think, as it provides benefits & rights to the couple.

I probably wouldn't want to have a ceremony for getting married, but I would want to share those rights with my partner.

As laws stand, that makes sense. And, yeah, if I did get married, I'd either not want a ceremony or only a very small one. I don't understand these massive weddings designed for everybody but the two people making the commitment.

there is no way I would spend more than $5,000 on it. The average wedding in America costs $30,000....

[Communal Ecotopia]

well if we can't get rid of it then perhaps we can at least democratize it even more. if you can't beat them, join them

perhaps the next step is legalizing polygamous marriages where they're not yet legal

Polyamorous marriages should definitely be legal

I absolutely agree, but how do we weed out the non-consensual/pseudo-consensual (I'm going to hell if I don't) marriages of folks like those in fundamentalist branches of the LDS Church.

[Greater Weselton]

Marriage is still relevant.

[Othelos]

Marriage is still relevant.

yep.

[Rebellious Fishermen]

Ultimately I think marriage is beneficial to a society.

There are so many times I've seen the variables in studies where a married person is more likely to earn more income, have lower crime rates, etc.

[The New Sea Territory]

Ultimately I think marriage is beneficial to a society.

There are so many times I've seen the variables in studies where a married person is more likely to earn more income, have lower crime rates, etc.

First, perhaps they have more income simply because there are two people's incomes rather than one? Isn't that obvious? Even still, you don't have to be married to be in a relationship. But married people get government benefits...which gives them an edge over non-married couple.

Secondly, source?

[Neutraligon]

As laws stand, that makes sense. And, yeah, if I did get married, I'd either not want a ceremony or only a very small one. I don't understand these massive weddings designed for everybody but the two people making the commitment.

there is no way I would spend more than $5,000 on it. The average wedding in America costs $30,000....

There are two things I would spend the money on, the photographer and the location (I do not mean hawaii).

[Neutraligon]

Ultimately I think marriage is beneficial to a society.

There are so many times I've seen the variables in studies where a married person is more likely to earn more income, have lower crime rates, etc.

First, perhaps they have more income simply because there are two people's incomes rather than one? Isn't that obvious? Even still, you don't have to be married to be in a relationship. But married people get government benefits...which gives them an edge over non-married couple.

Secondly, source?

There is such thing as common law marriage.

[Othelos]

there is no way I would spend more than $5,000 on it. The average wedding in America costs $30,000....

There are two things I would spend the money on, the photographer and the location (I do not mean hawaii).

I personally would prefer a really small wedding (only family + really close friends) at a cool location. Also, won't have to pay for a wedding dress, so that takes out a huge chunk.

probably will just skip it altogether, though, because I don't feel anything special about marriage.

[Donut section]

Marriage is a useful institution for those who want to get married.

Being an adult and willing should be the only legal requirements for marriage.

[Neutraligon]

There are two things I would spend the money on, the photographer and the location (I do not mean hawaii).

I personally would prefer a really small wedding (only family + really close friends) at a cool location. Also, won't have to pay for a wedding dress, so that takes out a huge chunk.

probably will just skip it altogether, though, because I don't feel anything special about marriage.

I agree. My cousin had a huge wedding and I hated it. From my side I would probably max have 15 -20 people (my mom and brother, my aunts and uncles and their family, and my close friends)and that seems a little high for me. I would probably by a dress or suit that can be used again, nothing fancy. I do hold marriage as important, but that is in part due to how my mom treats it. It is very important for her, and so it is important for me.

[Othelos]

I personally would prefer a really small wedding (only family + really close friends) at a cool location. Also, won't have to pay for a wedding dress, so that takes out a huge chunk.

probably will just skip it altogether, though, because I don't feel anything special about marriage.

I agree. My cousin had a huge wedding and I hated it. From my side I would probably max have 15 -20 people (my mom and brother, my aunts and uncles and their family, and my close friends)and that seems a little high for me. I would probably by a dress or suit that can be used again, nothing fancy. I do hold marriage as important, but that is in part due to how my mom treats it. It is very important for her, and so it is important for me.

You're different than I am, then. I couldn't care less about what my mom wants for my personal (relationship) life, although that's probably because she's a fundamentalist christian.

[Neutraligon]

I agree. My cousin had a huge wedding and I hated it. From my side I would probably max have 15 -20 people (my mom and brother, my aunts and uncles and their family, and my close friends)and that seems a little high for me. I would probably by a dress or suit that can be used again, nothing fancy. I do hold marriage as important, but that is in part due to how my mom treats it. It is very important for her, and so it is important for me.

You're different than I am, then. I couldn't care less about what my mom wants for my personal (relationship) life, although that's probably because she's a fundamentalist christian.

My mom and I have a close relation and she tends not to interfere with me. It is my choice simply because I know she wants to be there. It also has to do with the fact that my dad has passed on.

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

Polyamorous marriages should definitely be legal

I absolutely agree, but how do we weed out the non-consensual/pseudo-consensual (I'm going to hell if I don't) marriages of folks like those in fundamentalist branches of the LDS Church.

How do we weed out non-con marriages between 2 people?
There's your answer.

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

There are two things I would spend the money on, the photographer and the location (I do not mean hawaii).

I personally would prefer a really small wedding (only family + really close friends) at a cool location. Also, won't have to pay for a wedding dress, so that takes out a huge chunk.

probably will just skip it altogether, though, because I don't feel anything special about marriage.

Oh man alive, sometimes I feel like the only romantic here. Big ball gown, nice suit, flowers everywhere, loads of guests...

[Communal Ecotopia]

I absolutely agree, but how do we weed out the non-consensual/pseudo-consensual (I'm going to hell if I don't) marriages of folks like those in fundamentalist branches of the LDS Church.

How do we weed out non-con marriages between 2 people?
There's your answer.

Yeah, you have a point...as usual. Poly relationships aren't any more susceptible...it's just that the ones we see most are sanctioned and encouraged by scary people. But, considering who I have as friends, I shouldn't have fallen into that trap.

[Communal Ecotopia]

I personally would prefer a really small wedding (only family + really close friends) at a cool location. Also, won't have to pay for a wedding dress, so that takes out a huge chunk.

probably will just skip it altogether, though, because I don't feel anything special about marriage.

Oh man alive, sometimes I feel like the only romantic here. Big ball gown, nice suit, flowers everywhere, loads of guests...

Not the only way to be romantic. Me, my partner, some flowers we grew, sunset, isolated beach (or above the fog bank at Mount Tamalpias...or in the aspens of my home state), the few folks who really matter...