Formal marriage is more or less irrelevant in Scandinavia and elsewhere in North-Western Europe as a social arrangement these days. This does not mean that folks don't live in monogamous relationships. It's just that formal marriage, a formalization of a human relationship, is not anymore seen as the only possible indicator of a long-term commitment between a man and woman.
"Formal marriage is more or less irrelevant in Scandinavia and elsewhere in North-Western Europe as a social arrangement these days. This does not mean that folks don't live in monogamous relationships. It's just that formal marriage, a formalization of a human relationship, is not anymore seen as the only possible indicator of a long-term commitment between a man and woman."
The way you've written your post suggests that you approve, or at any rate don't disapprove.
But you may be interested in the results of a long-term study I've just completed on this subject:
Having children out of wedlock is a very bad thing.
"It's just that formal marriage, a formalization of a human relationship, is not anymore seen as the only possible indicator of a long-term commitment between a man and woman."
It is also a strong indicator why the death rate in those countries tends to surpass the birth rate with the exceotion of Muslim immigrants. That s an indicator of long term doom.
Don't know about Ireland, where 40% of births are to unwed mothers. Any Irish Freepers care to comment?