Unless there are children I don't see any point.

If there are concerns such as making medical decisions if one is unable to do so for oneself, there are simple legal forms that will enable another person to do so. Same with property, etc.

For all our talk about the importance of marriage, we gutted it out decades ago. Except for the commitment between the man and wife, there ain't nothin' there.

Maybe

Sad..That marriage has played out its meaning in so many relationships...But other then benefits..I dont see a reason..But then again how cool would that be to find love in your 70's and that love wanting to marry you..Wow..Ok..I read alot of chick lits ok!!

I think there's no necessity for being married once you are past the child bearing years. OTOH, marriage provides a few things.

First, it provides a legal status. As others have indicated there are other legal documents you can create and sign that will give you the same status, but once you do that, why not be married.

Second for some, marriage has some religious connotations. Saying a particular set of prayers in a particular setting in front of the community you belong to makes the relationship different in the eyes of many in the community. If this does not make a difference to you or your partner, then there's no reason to do it. If it does make a difference, there is nothing that will substitute for it.

Then there are titles. When I refer to Neal as my husband, that has certain universal meaning. The terms, BF, SO, partner, etc. have different meanings to many listeners. Again, that's not bad - just some thing to consider.

The IRS is starting to pay attention to domestic partners, but at this moment it is still different to file a tax return as a married couple rather than as a single. In some cases this might be a reason to marry - in other cases it might be the reason to make sure you don't. This will depend on the financial status of each individual.

I don't think marriage should be forced on people and I applaud the efforts to recognize domestic partners, but I think for some of us marriage has some deep significance and we shouldn't be afraid to say that.

I also find that my gay and lesbian friends who are prevented from being married want that recognition from society. I hope we can see our way clear soon to recognizing the love and committment in those relationships too.

Get married? I can't even find a decent person to date.

Don't feel it's necessary unless it is important to the 2 people involved. But anyone & everyone should have the right to get married if they so desire. Or not.

How ironic that people who can marry don't want to and gay couples that do can't.

Health insurance, inheritance, right to survivorship. Legal aspects that are important during times of traumatic illness, and establishing legal next-of-kin.

So IMHO, there are economic reasons because of inheritance laws, and even the right to pull the plug in the case of a severe and unrecoverable illness or injury. An unwed spouse is not necessarily recognized by law.

Now ask me if I would do it again... that's a different question.

Jaki64, There are legal documents that one can create and sign thta take care of a lot of the legal aspects you mention above (health insurance being the notable exception), but they are much less complicated when the couple is married.