I have been married for ten years and I enjoy marriage for the most part.

What does everyone else think of it? Is it outdated? Should marriages be yearly contracts to be renewed? Should we get rid of it? Should it only be between one man and one woman?

Does anyone not want to get married or are you excited about the idea?

Let me know. I'm curious as to how it looks from others.

I think that marriage is often rushed (hence why half of all marriages end up getting divorced). Which is why when it comes to me... I'd like to wait until I am in a super committed and long lasting relationship until I get married. Marriages being yearly contracts sounds kinda dumb to me (even accounting for all of the divorces xp).

Gays should be able to marry the same gender. I honestly don't see much problem with that, I mean marriages are based on love after all.

Personally... I'm a little scared but exited about marriage. I mean, I've yet to find someone who'd I'd like to spend my life with, but I would like to find that person ^^. Just hope it doesn't end on a sour note haha.

Marriage in itself is a contract. It truly is...(Prenup is very important to protect yourself much like life insurance) But, nevertheless, I do believe in the foundation of marriage- to forge a family, legacy, and ultimately a union between two people that love each other and are committed to being partners. I don't know that I would get married to be honest; the idea is pleasing  but, I am ok to do without it as I know you can still be happy and feel accomplished. I do see the religious point of view but, for me, the thought of marrying can be rushed and in fact it is for a lot of people. For me, I'd rather take my time and see where things go and how the relationship evolves but, the thought of rocking on a chair in a porch holding hands and wearing a ring as a reminder of our first commitment is quite pleasant- I don't think anyone wants to die alone or worst, grow old alone so I think marriage gives you a sense of tranquility.

I'm 26 and male, and I'll answer your specific questions first of all...

Is it outdated? - Nah, I think it's good to have that extra commitment. Even though so many people do get divorces, it's still harder to get a divorce than it is to simply leave, as would be the case without marriage. I think that difficulty encourages people to maintain and restore their relationships rather than simply ditching them when times get tough.

Should marriages be yearly contracts to be renewed? - That just sounds like a big hassle, not to mention that I'd consider a marriage to be a lifelong commitment, so needing to renew it each year doesn't really make sense.

Should we get rid of it? - I can't think of any good reason to, but I could understand having a way to get the tax benefits of marriage for couples that aren't technically married for whatever reason, but are together long-term.

Should it only be between one man and one woman? - Yes, but I don't have a good argument for it apart from religion.

Does anyone not want to get married or are you excited about the idea? - I'd love to get married, personally. But the commitment is also scary. I've seen so many crappy marriages, that I would have to be very sure that the person I was with was someone I wanted to marry. I crave having a best friend of the opposite sex around to talk to all the time, love, and give/receive comfort and support with. Physical intimacy would sure be nice too.

But... I think that marriage is a long way off or unattainable for me. I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for something like 10 years and can barely hold a job. And so I live in my parents' basement, don't own a car, and don't have much energy (or money) to do things - not exactly the most attractive qualities, for good reason. Unless I can find a medication that works (I was close, finally, this year, but had to cut it back because of unmanageable side effects), it's not in anyone's best interest to date or marry me. And even as lonely as it is being single and as nice as it would be to have a good marriage, I'm not sure if I'm willing to put in the effort to achieve and maintain it.

Never been married, never got that far in a relationship, and really that would be quite far, at least 3 to 4 years of being with someone, where my longest relationship went 2 1/2 years. Although I have been on/off again with that person, unfortunately she moved away, still really close friends with her, and she recently visited as a surprise for my birthday, but at this time I doubt I would get married.

I don't hate marriage, I am just one that thinks if you really love someone, you can be with them without being married, but then again, I am still young, I am 28. I am not like some of the people I went to school with who got married 2 to 3 years later. Funny enough I'd say most of them are divorced now, which is kinda funny lol.

Aren't I a bit too young for marriage? Anyway, I'm sadly not too affectionate. I've never loved someone. I'm also very shy.

I do think at times marriage can be a wonderful thing when it works. But, then there is the offside of it when people dislike it and have reasons. In all honesty I didn't like the thought of this when I was young not because I would marry one day but. Because of the way I was born which I wouldn't go into details of. I look at couples and with their kids they look so happy, and most people wish they had or have. That happiness you can get its just not, that easy to obtain and is something you need to work for. It takes a strong tower to keep a strong marriage in place. Often also as zero said marriages are often rush and not planned. When you meet someone your true love, that you are going to marry and spend the rest of your life with. You got to make sure you do things the right way smartly because when rushed that's when everything falls and then divorce happens. I feel not a lot of people really take this process as they should. If only people would see it and plan things out right then everything would be ok. That isn't the case sadly and some marriages work while some others fall due to rushed decisions, or whatever other reasons behind it. :/

I don't think there's any thing wrong with the institution of marriage.

I would actually like to be married at some point in the future. I just really want to be sure it's with some one I genuinely believe I could, and will, spend the rest of my life with. I'd want to be sure they were just as committed to me and the relationship as a whole as I was. Being together for so long takes a lot of effort, and a lot of people just either aren't ready, aren't willing to put the work in, or didn't pick the right person to be with.

As far as what the marriage should be like, that comes down to how the individuals in it want it to be. For some, yearly contracts are probably the best way to go. For others, having an "open" relationship works best for them. It all depends on what the couple in the relationship want and need to get out of it. I mean if two people are happy together, and aren't hurting any one, who am I to say their way of doing things isn't right?

As for the whole "one man and one woman" thing, just refer to the last sentence in that last paragraph