Is getting married really important? ( Archived) (7)

Depends on your situation and age. When you are young and starting out and kids are planned, yes. You will build your life together. Just don't do it too young because you might grow up and apart.
When you are old, depends on situation too. It is less important and most too complicated. My guy and I live happily together separately. He comes up and stays 3 days and then goes home. He has property, cars, family and friends. I have property, cars and my life style. We are quite alike, get along, talk on phone every day..and would kill each other in a week.
When people have had their careers, houses, property..it becomes a pain to marry. Either one gives up so much or the other, or they both do to start anew. Their kids have kids that they want to be grandparents to. I grew up int a time when people dated, got engaged, got married and had kids. That order has flown out the window bit time. Now women have kids, but don't want a man. Or the couple has kids and wait til they are old enough to be ring barer and flower girls.
Funny that queers make a big deal out of marriage now when everyone else doesn't bother.