It's a social contract between two (or more) consenting adults. The Government has no right to interfer (or issue licenses) and neither do any religious organizations. It should be viewed and handled under the rules governing contractual law. There should ALWAYS be pre-nups/contracts with everything laid out in great detail. The contract should have a start date and an end date (much like a lease/rental contract) with clauses explaining the rules for how to extend the contract if the parties so choose.

For me I see it as an ancient way to denote property. I am not poly or anything but just personally don't have a use for it. I can understand other sides of the argument though.

I believe marriage is overrated. In my opinion, the American society expects people to get married.

One boss I had said this. Marriage should be like a fishing license, renewable every year.

It can be used as all of the above or something else entirely. I guess it depends on the couple. I have been married for 22 years and i love it. There are no religious connections to it and there never has been.

I think it's what the couple makes of it. I see it as a committment

Any and all the above as the parties see fit, or whatever they want it to be. But possibly most importantly in this modern world a brake on going off in a huff just because things aren't the way you want them today. No relationship is always roses and marriage tends to make people think twice about packing their bags and leaving for what is in reality trivial reasons. We shouldn't need some silly contract to make us act like grown ups, especially when kids are involved, but it seems a lot of people do.
Split by all means if you've got a damn good reason but not because he forgot ..... or she isn't 20 anymore, that's just childish.

I would never say never again about anything except going to North Dakota. It has come back to haunt me a couple of times.

It's a stupid, crazy idea that demonstrates the triumph of hope over experience.

But if it works - Christ in a sidecar, if it works - then that is a good thing.

"Whoever invented marriage was creepy as hell. Like I love you so much I'm gonna get the government involved so you can't leave." - Jim Carrey

No Vote. I wanted to have children and children born in marriage. I could had not picked a better woman for mother of my kids. We lasted 19 years of marriage. She may be marrying for a 3rd time this year. At that point we were great for each other and I allowed her to be anything she want. I was not always a good husband but I have been the best ex husband any woman could have. And deep inside of her... she knows she luck out with me. So when in same city, we can go to a movie, dinner or dance. Even if once we decided to ended it, we had never slept again. I wrote a song with the phrase... "some are better at hello, other better at goodbye". I am a goodbye type. I am the type of wonderful EX be husband or boyfriend or simply lover. Dont ask why, can only say, I always been the same way. I have no problem with the marriage institution... one way or the other, maybe I never remarry but if marriage will make happy a woman I want to make happy... I will do anything for that woman because she will be worth it. To me, is all about the Partner. I have no "beef" with the institution. And you will not find a more Free Bird than me. But I will do anything for the right Partner and Starmate.

It's really between the couple and no one else's business. I officiate ceremonies for all kinds of folks. I 'personally' don't think the government has any business knowing about my love life and I'm certainly not going to pay them to make a commitment to someone I love. I 'personally' think that is silly. There is not much to be gained by a "lawful union" anymore. Sometimes and for some folks it does provide some monetary protection. I don't see where it would be useful for me.

Can be some of all or none of any. Right now, I have to say I'm not interested in a new membership, ha ha

Been there, done that, never happening again. It goes against my grain in every way, and I hoenstly don't know a happily married couple at atl. I don't think that exists.

The only reason to get married if you are planning on children.

The religiosity of marriage served a purpose and it is a lame asse social construction. It was what it was . . . And the ritual is felt by many. .. who can begrudge another a celebration of love?AS LONG AS I don't have to live like them. Yet having said that. . . For me If I even was to have a conversation about "marriage" it would say a lot of positive things about our relationship and love. I like a ritual - a celebration with great food,music, friends, and family and anyone who loves a good party.

IT is a vestigial arrangement intended to provide a protective environment for offspring.

Different things to different people. But I strongly believe in Marriage Equality. If the Government is going to be involved, and it is, then there needs to be equal opportunity for everyone. You don't get government benefits for a Bar mitzvah, a Christening, Confirmation, First Communion, circumcision, etc. Marriage should probably be the same. Then government could allow every person to designate one person to assume the current benifits of mariage. This would also be more fair to widows and widowers who would like to get married again but don't because of loss of benefits.

Marriage is a social rite invented by prortect women and subscquent offspring. In a good marriage, it is also a joint commitment to a long rerm caring and sharing relationship.

i think it can be different things to different people. to me, it has nothing to do with religion, or the law, or some silly piece of paper. it is an act of love. it is a way to say to your mate that you choose them above all the other fish in the sea. it is a promise, and i think that to a lot of people, a promise doesnt mean anything anymore, and thats ok. but to me, it does. if i have everything taken from me, i still have the power to uphold my word. (provided its not some situation where you said you would be somewhere on time, but you got kidnapped and didnt make it) but i understand that not everybody sees it the same. i think it is important to discuss these things before jumping into it. make sure both of you can live with the way the other sees things.

It's both a contract legally and socially. It can be entered into for any reason. I'm married. I like it. But I also think it certainly isn't for everyone, and lots of people are happy without marriage. To each their own.

Its everything listed above, but in my opinion it only has negative things attached for people who want out.

I am not sure in this day and age that marriage is good for either sex. The old days of two people coming together in a common goal and like feelings are past. It could happen but it is rare. Our society now gives opportunities to both sexes that did not exist before.

Just like anything else, people can abuse marriage and use it as a tool of exploitation. The best case is a partnership where affection and a sense of shared purpose and responsibility make two more than the sum of the individuals participating. There are many many versions of worst cases. It depends on you and your spouse, really.

Something that society expects you to do and was formed back in the dark ages. Women were considered old maids by the age of 20 in some cultures if they didn't marry before age 18 or younger.