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TimberValley

(318 posts) Wed Mar 27, 2013, 07:03 PM Mar 2013

What exactly is marriage good for anyway these days? [View all]

Amidst all the talk about gay marriage these days, I think we need to ask the broader question: What exactly is marriage, and why is it worth keeping around? What good does it do society?

Is it just so that there's a legal relationship so that in the event of divorce, there'll be alimony to pay? Men often are required to pay child support regardless.

What is marriage? A legal agreement that two people will somehow stay together.....until or unless they decide not to stay together? Why? For what?

35 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What exactly is marriage good for anyway these days? [View all] TimberValley Mar 2013 OP

Inheritance rights and other legal protections? LiberalLoner Mar 2013 #1

Yes, I knew a couple frazzled Mar 2013 #11

getting rid of marriage is a separate argument. Warren DeMontague Mar 2013 #2

I'm not arguing for marriage to be abolished, but rather TimberValley Mar 2013 #4

why are you wondering this now? Warren DeMontague Mar 2013 #6

The subject is in the news? randome Mar 2013 #21

I don't know. It seems like a convenient attempt at getting "out" of recognizing LGBT marriage. Warren DeMontague Mar 2013 #22

Saves a lot of money on attorney's fees. Luminous Animal Mar 2013 #3

You can't be serious. Sheldon Cooper Mar 2013 #5

But why exactly do we confer those benefits on married people only? TimberValley Mar 2013 #8

there you go again, asking reasonable questions regarding law and its fine points lol nt msongs Mar 2013 #9

and they can get married dsc Mar 2013 #27

Here we go again. same old shit again. William769 Mar 2013 #7

Its like the fucking star bellied sneetches. Warren DeMontague Mar 2013 #18

some want that binding. others do not. 'nough said. nt seabeyond Mar 2013 #10

For most, it's a pact to create legitimate children LittleBlue Mar 2013 #12

There is a societal interest ... frazzled Mar 2013 #13

Mostly to take advantage of tax loopholes .... oldhippie Mar 2013 #14

Oh, for the love of Pete etherealtruth Mar 2013 #15

Above and beyond any legal/financial questions LanternWaste Mar 2013 #16

Best response of the thread! nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #34

Well definitely taking care of each other when we're sick. talkingmime Mar 2013 #17

Well, it protects the spouse from his/her family. Cleita Mar 2013 #19

After two divorces, I've asked myself the same question liberaltrucker Mar 2013 #20

this is kinda awesome. :) Phillip McCleod Mar 2013 #31

You could take the advice Brainstormy Mar 2013 #35

without marriage there is a lot more paperwork La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #23

Marriage is for two people who are in love and want to spend their lives together bhikkhu Mar 2013 #24

seems simple enough 50% of the time anyway (divorce rate). Phillip McCleod Mar 2013 #32

I suspect looong ago it was a way of re-signalling your relation to everyone you WEREN'T marrying. sibelian Mar 2013 #25

Government regulations & benefits .. fadedrose Mar 2013 #26

My opinion... davidn3600 Mar 2013 #28

And when love is gone, you can't afford to move out... fadedrose Mar 2013 #29

Your numbers are out of date. The divorce rate has been dropping since the 1980's. pnwmom Mar 2013 #30

"the higher the income, the more likely the couple stays married." indeed. thanks for that post. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #33