What's the big deal about marriage?

And why does every girl dream about getting married? I don't really think about marriage all too often, and when I do it involves a celebrity, but I never really think about getting married or have some big need to. The only thing I really think about marriage is for legal benefits, and I don't know what those are either. I just don't see myself falling in love and settling down. Why is marriage so important?

It's not true that every girl dreams about getting married - personally I think that's a rather irritating stereotype. I didn't give it much thought before I actually got engaged.

What's the big deal about getting married? It's a formal commitment and that feels amazing when it's with the right person. But it's only important if it's important to you!

I have been married for 25 years, and I wouldn't take anything else. A guy promised to be committed to me--to love, honor, in sickness and health, and so on. He is wonderful. We have two wonderful offspring. And, yes, there are the legal benefits as well.

But don't ever get married just for the sake of it, if you don't want to. Those marriages tend to be miserable. Not all women do want to marry. I didn't get married until I was in my thirties--so I had a chance to establish a career, have my own identity, and live on my own.

I think not being married is better than being in a bad marriage with the wrong person. I can't imagine anything more miserable.

You get to lavishly entertain people you haven't seen in years...
Either bonding with your Mom or butting heads with her...don't forget all her invite lists, dads too, not excluding aunt May, whom used to pinch your cheeks, saying, my you're no longer chunky, anymore...and all followed by,,when are you having kids?
Never mind, bartab, food bill, $2/$3 slice of cake. Photographers, florist, not offen offending bridesmaids, wild bachelor parties...*sigh*...
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Watch the Sondheim musical "Company" for a thoughtful and enjoyable answer. The 2011 version with the Tony award guy - I'm blanking - Doogie Howser - is great.

Ancient tradition Doc. That's it. Other than the legal part it only means what it means to the individual. Signing a contract and performing a ritual doesn't make anyone any more committed than they would be otherwise. Except for the legalities of course. Marriage is the main reason for divorces

Not every girl dreams of getting married, I know my 18 year old sister doesn't even dream for a relationship. She'd rather have a one bedroom apartment and an endless supply of food.

Marriage is a social construct that was once a tradition and is now a practice. This is not to demean people who are in happy and safe marriages at all, it's just a statement. If it's not your cup of tea just don't get married.

Its just a weird stereotype.

I never wanted to get married but my husband wanted to. And it worked out legally better for me if we where married. Also better that for college we wouldn't have to live in the dorms and so on.

It turns out my husband dreamed of getting married because he dreamed of being taken care of all his life....

For achievers, a successful marriage is another checkmark on their attainment checklist, and probably even more so, yields a child to continue their legacy into future generations and their family tree chart.

I dont really see the big deal either, altho I do understand people's desire for marriage. Ive been married twice, divorced once, of course. I never had the desire to get married either times. Marriage, imo, complicates a relationship. Years afterward, if you find yourself unhappy or if your spouse does, youre kinda stuck.

Well, for me the wife wanted us married and in reflection I do not regret it in the slightest. At the time we'd been together for 10 years (no kids... That's still on the cards with me dragging my heals) and she started pushing. To me, I didn't see the point - I had no intention of wandering off, very committed to the relationship and as neither of us have wealthy parents I had the 'oh crap.. Marriage is expensive... Why would anyone spend that much money on one fringing day' thing going on... But be it part of the stereotype or not, she dreamed if her white wedding, church and the whole shabang... So we tightened our belts and went for it (+ I knew that if I valued my sanity and wanted to continue with certain 'privileges'... It was in my best interests to say 'yes dear').

Was quite stressful getting it sorted and I remember quite vividly her mum and the missus having a fit when I accidentally spilled jerky sauce on one of the brides maids dresses the night before ... And the Farther (she is catholic, I'm an athiest) giving me a lecture about raising catholic children amongst other things to which I had to grin and bare it unless I wanted the wife's elbow in my ribs... But yes, the day went without a hitch.

It added security to our relationship, we're very committed to each other and being married in some way I don't understand, reenforces it.