Is there a point to marriage anymore?

[oldbadger]

This thread is more so directed at guys, but what exactly is the point of marriage? Given how ubiquitous cheating has become, online dating and loss of old morals, is it realistic to expect people stay married forever?

Wouldn't it make more sense to simply make money, become successful and work out? If I wanted my genes to be spread, this would be the most effective way to do it. If I wanted companionship, I would have my friends and family. If I wanted kids I could find a surrogate or have one with a partner I was dating for a while.

The only advantage I can see for a man to get married in this day and age is if he wants to pass down some of his own cultural and behavioral traits to his children. Even then given the divorce rate and the fact that women get most of the custody, I could simply do all that without marriage.

So what do you think, is marriage worthwhile? Is it a dying institution? Or is there some secret I haven't heard of?

Yeah, there's a secret you have not heard of....
If you need to ask, then marriage certainly is not for you.
The day that you feel that you could not go on without your loved one, and they you, that will be the moment, the hour, the day... that you will be prepared to ask....

 

[Rational Agnostic]

This thread is more so directed at guys, but what exactly is the point of marriage? Given how ubiquitous cheating has become, online dating and loss of old morals, is it realistic to expect people stay married forever?

Wouldn't it make more sense to simply make money, become successful and work out? If I wanted my genes to be spread, this would be the most effective way to do it. If I wanted companionship, I would have my friends and family. If I wanted kids I could find a surrogate or have one with a partner I was dating for a while.

The only advantage I can see for a man to get married in this day and age is if he wants to pass down some of his own cultural and behavioral traits to his children. Even then given the divorce rate and the fact that women get most of the custody, I could simply do all that without marriage.

So what do you think, is marriage worthwhile? Is it a dying institution? Or is there some secret I haven't heard of?

Starting a family I suppose. I agree it is bad to rush into a marriage.

 

[McBell]

This thread is more so directed at guys, but what exactly is the point of marriage? Given how ubiquitous cheating has become, online dating and loss of old morals, is it realistic to expect people stay married forever?

Wouldn't it make more sense to simply make money, become successful and work out? If I wanted my genes to be spread, this would be the most effective way to do it. If I wanted companionship, I would have my friends and family. If I wanted kids I could find a surrogate or have one with a partner I was dating for a while.

The only advantage I can see for a man to get married in this day and age is if he wants to pass down some of his own cultural and behavioral traits to his children. Even then given the divorce rate and the fact that women get most of the custody, I could simply do all that without marriage.

So what do you think, is marriage worthwhile? Is it a dying institution? Or is there some secret I haven't heard of?

Rights and benefits

• Right to benefits while married:
  • Employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
  • Per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
  • Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
  • Sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
• Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
  • Veteran's disability
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Disability payments for federal employees
  • Medicaid
  • Property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
  • Income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
  • Wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
• Joint and family-related rights:
  • Joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
  • Joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
  • Family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
  • Next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
  • Custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
  • Domestic violence intervention
  • Access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
• Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
• Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
• Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
• Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
• Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
• Court notice of probate proceedings
• Domestic violence protection orders
• Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
• Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
• Funeral and bereavement leave
• Joint adoption and foster care
• Joint filing of taxes (see filing status)
• Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
• Legal status with stepchildren
• Making spousal medical decisions
• Spousal non-resident tuition differential waiver
• Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
• Right of survivorship of custodial trust
• Right to change surname upon marriage
• Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
• Right to inheritance of property
• Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)
• For those divorced or widowed, the right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
  • Social Security pension
  • Veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
  • survivor benefits for federal employees
  • Survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
  • Additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
  • $100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
  • Continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
  • Renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
  • Continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
  • Payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
  • Making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts

Source

 

[MD]

Interesting answers, thank you everyone

 

[Willamena]

This thread is more so directed at guys, but what exactly is the point of marriage? Given how ubiquitous cheating has become, online dating and loss of old morals, is it realistic to expect people stay married forever?

Obviously, the point is all the benefits that could be had from marriage: joint income taxes and partnership business taxes, estate benefits and inheritance, conservator priority, spousal benefits, parental benefits (as applicable), public assistance benefits, family assistance benefits, visiting rights, family rates for social benefits, Workers' Compensation benefits, tuition assistance, shared responsibility benefits (children, stepchildren, pets, valued property, etc.), marital communications privilege, immigration and residency benefits if you're not a native, and divorce and support rights.

Wouldn't it make more sense to simply make money, become successful and work out? If I wanted my genes to be spread, this would be the most effective way to do it. If I wanted companionship, I would have my friends and family. If I wanted kids I could find a surrogate or have one with a partner I was dating for a while.

You can do it whichever way you like.

The only advantage I can see for a man to get married in this day and age is if he wants to pass down some of his own cultural and behavioral traits to his children. Even then given the divorce rate and the fact that women get most of the custody, I could simply do all that without marriage.

So what do you think, is marriage worthwhile? Is it a dying institution? Or is there some secret I haven't heard of?

From what I've seen, of the generations that I've seen, cultural behavior and traits are the least likely to be passed down, whatever you may wish or like.

 

[VioletVortex]

Not really. Marriage is rooted in religious beliefs, therefore those of certain religions will be more inclined to marry. Also, some people are insecure about the stability of their relationships, and they feel the need to officiate them as to keep them from falling apart.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Marriage is rooted in religious beliefs

No, it isn't.

Also, some people are insecure about the stability of their relationships, and they feel the need to officiate them as to keep them from falling apart.

Maybe some but hardly all, or even most.