From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!cbosgd!nscs!rmas70!cly Newsgroups: net.singles Title: Re: more questions Article-I.D.: rmas70.201 Posted: Tue Sep 7 08:19:35 1982 Received: Wed Sep 8 03:36:24 1982 I think the marriage ceremony is to please the traditional people around us (THAT ought to start some discussion!). When someone announces that they are getting married, notice all the positive responses they get from "society". (Oh, how wonderful! I'm so happy for you! We're having a shower/batchelor party for you! etc. etc.) If the same people announce they are going to start living together, the responses are certainly not as positive (if at all). On the other end, the announcement of a divorce brings just as many expressions of sorrow or negative responses. The announcement of a split-up of a live-in does not. The only reason I can ever see for getting married is to protect a kid from the harm that would surely come from being regarded by society as different or abnormal. I have seen too many marriages fail to believe that getting married makes the relationship stronger - it just makes it more difficult to get out of. I could say much more, but I think I will wait and see what you have to say.