Yeah no one can guarantee us happiness.

But I think your view on marriage might have changed because you married a bad match and realized it later one. As many of us did, especially marrying in young age. Then we want spouses to change into something they aren't. That's a recipe for disaster.

My first husband and I were not a good match, the only thing we were good together at was co-parenting. Which I am grateful for. I don't think it's society that made me choose a spouse. Neither then nor now. Second time around (many years later). I knew to choose a better match so I have a better marriage. But I was single for many years in between and it was just fine on all accounts, at no point I felt I needed to be married to be happy. Many people chose right the first time (often because they didn't grow in disfynction). But it wasn't society's doing.

I grew up in dysfunctional family and fought hard not to live in dysfunction. It's all my choice. I refuse to be a victim of other people or said society (within legal limits).