Yesterday 3:17 pm
I have to disagree. The "law" has always been involved in marriage, at least as long as England has had a King (although it actually started with Roman Law). Civil society has always had an interest in the proper care of a woman with children, and the children. Living together without marriage is a very modern, hippy-commune construct. It was rare to non-existent prior to the 1960's.Vegas » 33 minutes ago » wrote: ↑ Marriage is about commitment anyway. The law shouldn't even be involved. People don't have to get married to be with each other until death do them part nor do they need to be married to raise kids together. Forget the legal part of it all. It makes no sense.
This is why a marriage is specifically between a man and a woman. For the purpose of starting a family. For all ages, people have recognized that F-ed up families cause societal problems. So, this is why there is a ceremony and laws governing marriage - it is for the man and woman to announce their commitment, WITH THE CONSENT OF THEIR RELATIVES, AND TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETY, that until death, they will care for one another and for their children, so that the other members of the village won't have to.