Is marriage outdated?

I don't think so. And apparently neither do those in the next generation in my family. We have two weddings in the next couple of months.

No, it certainly is not outdated.... Just ask any chaplain in Las Vegas.

We can say without dispute that marriage isn't for everyone, and not everyone will find or even seek a mate, but this is as it has always been.

The recognized union of two people (I will mention, but not espouse polygamy in my commentary) and all the attendant customs and ceremonies, whether for the sake of love, tradition or for legal/civil advantage, remains a very relevant right of passage to the larger majority of humans, who will marry at some point in their lives.

Nope.

Generally speaking, nothing else has come along as a better method for maintaining and and growing the love between a man and a woman.

And that's on the lower end---a great marriage is incredibly satisfying and can usually be achieved by any two adults who want it.

(Something about committing your transcendental selves.)

People can, and do, live in so-called "common law marriages" all the time.  They are no less loving or devoted than those who get a marriage certificate from the government / church.  In my opinion, those couples are MORE loving/devoted than people with a marriage certificate - because they trust each other with not breaking the most important pact you can make, and don't ask for a piece of paper to ensure it.

The ONLY reason for a marriage certificate ... Is property rights.  This one document replaces reams of legal paperwork that would otherwise be required for joint bank accounts, insurance, inheritance, etc, etc, etc.

Not in my house 😁