When you find the one for you how important is marring them to you, is it something you would want to do, particularly if it's second time around? What if both of you are only separated, would you expect you and your partner to seek a divorce from your exspouses so you both could marry? Would you be happy and content in just living together?

Is marriage very important these days or is it slowly going out of fashion as no longer required, what are your thoughts?

I'd like to at some point, but I wouldn't think as lightly about it as the first time. When I was 24 it was more like the right thing to do. Now I'd only do it if it was the right thing.
In a way it's more important to me that my partner buys me a ring, as a token of commitment. I feel very strong about that, so much so that if a guy wouldn't buy me a ring, well ... he might wanna pack up and leave.

For me marriage will never be out of fashion. Its a seal of my commitment to the person i chose to spend the rest of my life with.

I wish it would go out of fashion already. I don't understand the point of marriage, especially for men. You have to sign a contract saying that if you ever fall out of love the women you thought loved you can take half your stuff, or all of your stuff and you kids if you had kids with her. It makes sense for a women, if the relationship ends she walks out of it with half or all his stuff. If I trust and love a women and she feels the same towards me, I wouldn't need any more confirmation, proof or gestures.

Read the news, stay in tune ... marriage is on the decline and statistics prove that. A piece of paper is all it is. Respect and trust is what it's all about, if you don't have that you have nothing, paperwork or not. Rings are still given as a token of love and commitment. If I found the right person and he insisted on marriage, I would do it for him to satisfy his "need" for commitment even though I have already given it.

It's on the decline for many reasons...Some reasons include prior divorces with issues that complicate remarriage, penalties imposed on fixed income earners, morality.....For me, the paper isn't necessary, but I would not knowingly date & commit to a man who was separated and it has nothing to do with wanting to marry him and everything to do with rationale...Separated only?... Look somewhere else, I don't need another heartbreak....

yup .... i believe so

That is a really good question and a topic I have also wondered about. I think it is going out of style and the reason is that today's young people have witnessed and been victimized first hand by a ridiculous and unfair legal system where one parent usually gets totally shafted by the system if there is a divorce. I think that's the issue rather than marriage itself.

those kinds of punitive damages can also happen to the woman, and I agree. It's ridiculous. Oh, hey, marry me so I can have that car...(just kidding)lol

commitment should be based upon trust , what is the point of marriage when it's all about piece of paper ? then living together as girl/boyfriend is enough , you will stay together as long as you feel you love each others , and when this feeling is gone , you can break the relation up smoothly and everyone will be happy .

I cannot comment regarding the laws in America, I believe, but I am not absolutely certain, that the laws covering cohabiting couples (of more than 6 months cohabitation) here in the UK. Affords the same protection as if they were a married couple, resulting in the same financial consequences should the relationship fail as would be the case had they been a married couple, with the exception of not needing a divorce.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I would marry again, because I would need the show in commitment to each other that I feel marriage brings, and I think it binds you together, making what you feel and have together even stronger.

I don't believe marriage will ever go out of fashion, but whether it's through choice or personal circumstances, many couples will decide to live together and not to marry in my opinion.

So he HAS to buy you a ring ..... what will you buy him ????? And of equal value too !!!

Its not marriage its peoples morals that's out of fashion. That's just what I think.

Gee, that's a hard question! Would it be a "ring" for you also, which usually costs more than the ladies' ring? Or would you prefer another motorcycle?

are you against any relationship if not marriage ?

Is marriage a casualty of modern life... Some call it an archaic institution. Maybe. I suspect it has fallen out of favor amongst all age groups because it just doesn't provide an achievable working model for human relationships. Perhaps it never has. Maybe it works for windows of time. Fits and starts. Ebbs and flows. Today I believe people are more willing to acknowledge that the sanctity of marriage is too pious an achievement for mere mortals.

Not against relationships at all. All for em! I believe in marriage too. To me tho marriage is more than a ring and piece of paper. I just think society and morals are why marriages don't work anymore.

When I get engaged, all my fiancees get the same thing...

i believe relationships has more to do about morals than marriage , as there is nothing keeps you with your partner but love and commitment , while in marriage you have to take many other things into consideration ( basically legal )

I believe the same. Marriage isn't legal to me tho. Marriage to me says love and commitment.