and there are many practical reasons one might decide to form such a union.
The tax breaks?
That’s part of it sure, but there are plenty of benefits, from big things like health coverage, to things you’d never think of like dry cleaning discounts (if Seinfeld is to be believed).
Being in a relationship merely for financial discounts… what an emotionally hollow, unfulfilling farce. Might as well change one’s vows from “til death do us part” to “until my field of fucks runs out.”
Ridiculous.
I never said merely, though it is a fairly important and practical reason for getting married, much moreso than just to form an imaginary pact (which also ‘forces’ you to stay with someone you could end up hating, only because you don’t want to embarrass yourself to your friends and family).
If not for the legal benefits, I’d think marriage to be a nearly pointless and archaic construct. But that’s just me. My point is that marriage can be different things to different people. Just because you see it one way doesn’t mean every else does, nor should they conform their lives to what is ultimately just your opinion of it.