What do you think is the purpose of marriage ?

[JennyTals]

Just saw this on a bbc archives and thought I’d ask for some modern upto date ideas ?

It’s a patriarchal property thing, traditionally, to restrict women’s sexuality legally so that men know they’re passing the goods down to their son, and not someone else’s.

It’s the foundation to building a secure family unit.

With automatic legal protections such as inheritance, life insurance/pensions entitlements, legal and medical next of kin, etc.

Far too many people forget the legal side of things, especially the misunderstanding that "common law wife" has no legal rights!

I think if families are the foundation of society
then marriage is the foundation to families

its purpose is love, security, procreation, companionship, huge commitment probably something powerful in making those vows in public in front of family and friends

i did hear on a podcast recently, that marriage is becoming more a thing for well off people. And the poorer people are getting married less and less

It was the simplest way of ensuring my children were born into an equal partnership with protection/security afforded to me while we raise them.

Its purpose is to raise children in economic security. Not saying it always works but that’s the idea

Legal protection for both parties in case of death or childbirth.

Meanwhile, for most people, it’s reply number two.

I always forget about the medical side of it like next of kin
that really is a big one

what other things do you mean by Legal tho ? Yes I get inheritance and pensions

For me it was a financial insurance policy; I didn’t care about being married particularly but when first child was born I felt we needed that security

To provide the couples and children with legal and financial security.

We got married because we wanted to legalise our relationship and make a lasting commitment to each other before God. We also considered it fundamental and non negotiable if we wanted children. The cornerstone was our promises to each other:

For mutual comfort
For the procreation of children
For the avoidance of sin

DH was from a practicing Christian family. I was surprised at how profound the service was and particularly the blessing of the rings.

DS is 30 and he and DIL have been married for a few years. We are expecting an engagement announcement from DD shortly. Almost 27; bf 29.

The DC's friends are starting to get married.

Hate to say, financial insurance policy for me as well

My DH had a previous marriage and children and once we were committed to buying a home together , marriage followed - we both decided it was the easiest way to safe guard either one of us

It's a financial contract.

The question was not ‘What does marriage mean to you?’ but ‘What is the purpose of marriage?’

Which, to the majority of couples in 2025 is reply number 2.

Yes and that's not it!

In the past, when few women worked, it was the 'team contract' that women maintained the home and raised children, while men provided for them all. It created a basic building block for a working society.

Things have changed. Divorce is readily available, many people walk away from marriages and provide no maintenance for their children. Women have employment opportunities and home ownership. The welfare state is expected to make up any shortfall.

It is hard to see the relevance of an institution that can be abandoned, ignored, breached. Yet there is no doubt people must be allowed to end a miserable marriage. I know someone on his fourth marriage. Three divorces so far. Why bother?

As a working woman, I have never needed financial assistance from a man or the welfare state, so perhaps my opinion is from a point of privilege.

If I'm honest I think of it as like a work contract for two people to bring up children together as a team and not to diss each other in public. But that's because I had quite a traditional upbringing.

(Marriage doesn't have anything legally to do with next of kin, which is also not a particularly strong legal concept in the UK.)

It's about the commitment, standing up before our Gods, friends and family and making a commitment to each other for life.

Security for children and both parents. Legal protection in terms of inheritance etc.

Nothing to do with gods in our marriage.

........many people walk away from marriages and provide no maintenance for their children

Almost 100% men who do this.

But your marriage isn't mine, your purpose in life isn't mine. If the purpose of marriage is the raising of children then that makes my marriage purposeless because my dh is infertile.

Yes, although to be fair, I know of one mum who left her three children and ran off with a work colleague, so it isn't 100% men.