"I was reading a previous discussion on marriage, in which the main
focus was that people should be allowed marriage (or civil union),
regardless of the sex. While i was compelled to reply, there was
something stopping me from doing it. There is a lack of undertanding of
“why” should two persons even marry at all? What purpose does it serve?
it is a question that needs to be answered before having any opinion on
“who” should be able to marry. Just like you need a reason to build a
wall before thinking about wether you should use brick or concrete.
“Commitment is possible without marriage. Child custody and obligation to support is based on parenthood, not on marriage. Community of acquisitions is basically a contract that can exist without marriage. SO why in all of the world should we need marriage or exclude other forms of partnership?”
V:
Yes, this is all possible as (anonymous #2) wrote above, but it is not practical when it comes to human nature. Sure commitment exist outside of marriage. But without legal commitments the verbal talk of commitment is too easy to get out of for humans. Animals have instincts, humans have to balance their free will with conscience and morals.
Sometime humans do not think about conscience and morals as much as philosophers do and need a little guidance. When the discussion turns to conscience and morals, we can see this example come to life with how Saddam turned out last night. Now, most of society is not as Saddam, but I think few would honor the ideals of the ‘freedom plan’ stated above without traditions of marriage and the associated laws as added support.
For instance, just imagine no laws against rape and sexual harassment with women? Men could do and act as they please with any woman they meet? Men could shake a woman breast instead of shaking her hand when meeting her. No fear of punishment no matter what you did, except murder. How would that change society? Would any work ever get done? Apply that revolutionary idea of change to marriage.
Whether the current marriage laws and traditions need updating, that is anyone’s guess. But we do need some guidance with this subject with the size of our world. For if there were no such rules or guidance, it would be like the sewage plant shut down for good all over the world…what a mess.
In the end, marriage is not forced on anyone. People choose it, I guess, as the lesser of two evils?