What’s the best part of marriage?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if I want to get married.

[Anonymous]

Affairs

[Anonymous]

Sex

[Anonymous]

Spending his money

[Anonymous]

The legal benefits and protections.

[Anonymous]

Having someone in your life that has your back, just as you have their’s.

[Anonymous]

Kids and a family unit! I wouldn't want to have kids outside marriage but it does presuppose one chooses well and stays lucky.

[Anonymous]

Knowing someone has my back, and maybe more importantly, our kids' best interests at heart.

We don't have a good marriage at all, but DH's loyalty is a #1 best trait about him

[Anonymous]

Way easier to save money + dual incomes
Life with your best friend
Someone else to help you in life
Sex
Getting to choose the dad or mom of your future kids.

We have a really, really great marriage. Don't marry a loser.

[Anonymous]

Family

[Anonymous]

He's my best friend (with benefits)

[Anonymous]

Nothing, anymore.

[Anonymous]

All of these are not exclusive to marriage or a given because of marriage alone.
To claim marriage instantly bestows these things is false.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these are not exclusive to marriage or a given because of marriage alone.
To claim marriage instantly bestows these things is false.

No but it ties it all in a bow and is a signal to everyone else that you're in a lifelong commitment. Many people wouldn't have any of these things without marriage. DH and I would have never had children out of wedlock, nor bought a home together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these are not exclusive to marriage or a given because of marriage alone.
To claim marriage instantly bestows these things is false.

And they also presuppose a good marriage. I’ve been married 20 years; I think there are pros and cons married or single. Probable the only benefit that actual marriage gets you is that your family unit is viewed by society as more legitimate, if that matters to you.

There are some financial things but you can do some of that outside marriage. If we own our home as a married couple, a lawsuit against only one can’t attach to the house. If only one is on title to main residence with a mortgage and dies, a spouse can continue to live there by paying the mortgage (in MD, anyway). Certain rights upon death, like spousal share of estate. Maybe one of you will be entitled to alimony upon divorce. You can take FMLA and sick leave for some jobs for a spouse but not a lover.