i always thought marriage as a sexual union more than living wiht one another, but i guess that passes too. when an unmarried girl becomes preganant, that is the like the end of the world, the family panicks, curses the girl et. al. but when a married girl becomes pregnant, it is a cause for celebration. soceity cannot allow human beings going around having sex with everyone. so they establihsed marraige as a way for two people to have sex and perpetuate their generation.just living wiht one another, well a son/daughter can live with thier siblings, parents and providde company to another for life, provide all kinds of solace and help? tara why does not the system work this way? why should a person marry at all? again, sexual union completes the picture. again, my opinion.