Just a piece of paper?

Contrary to this opinion, getting married is not simply 'getting a piece of paper'.

As a consequence, marriage partners are financially, socially and emotionally responsible for each other and any children of their relationship.

A body of principles based upon this understanding, underpins an array of arrangements to do with:
* taxation
* banking
* insurance
* wills
* social security

and laws on:
* property settlement
* custody of children
* maintenance
* inheritance.

Just as important, are the emotional and social expectations of the marriage partners of the value of their commitment to build a common future.

It is true that two people together can provide for each other, and their children, a better standard of living and quality of life than one can achieve alone.

So the time, energy and quality of care put into the relationship and into common resources is huge, but done willingly where the expectation is that this relationship will continue to be a source of common benefit until the end of one's life.

Broken dreams and the significant drop in the quality of life and standard of living that comes with divorce is incredibly painful and deeply wounding for all parties concerned.

This is to ensure that anyone entering marriage, no matter how closely they have lived or are living together, gives due consideration to the seriousness of the commitment they are about to make.