[Blue Jays]

For many people of both genders there is little benefit to marriage.
A successful businessman or businesswoman in their 40s, 50s, or 60s just starting a new relationship now would need *very* compelling reasons to marry.

In some ways, longtime dating is actually the purest form of love.
Both of them are there because they WANT to be there. Not forced by a contract.

[central_va]

Virtues of older women. - Ben Franklin.

1. They are smart. "Because they have more Knowledge of the world, and their Minds are better stored with Observations; their Conversation is more improving, and more lasting agreeable."
2. They are GOOD. "Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do a thousand Services, small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman."
3. No more kids. "Because there is no hazard of children, which irregularly produced may be attended with much inconvenience."
4. They are sensible. "Because through more Experience they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your reputation; and with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclined to excuse an old Woman, who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his manners by her good Councils, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes."
5. They are not afraid of the dark. "Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part. The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower parts continuing to the last as plump as ever; so that coving all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old one from a young one. And as in the Dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of Corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal and frequently superior; every Knack being by Practice capable of improvement.
6. Sin "Because the sin is less. The Debauching of a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her Life unhappy."
7. They have their own life. "Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend making an old Woman HAPPY."
8. They know a good thing. "And lastly. They are so grateful!!!"
9. They have a sense of humor.

[Yaelle]

I don’t think I would ever marry again. I have little kids and they come first for me. I don’t see the point of making them live with some other guy. I like your description - a dating couple is a purer form of love. You’re there because you want to be there. Interesting.

[Sparticus]

In some ways, longtime dating is actually the purest form of love. Both of them are there because they WANT to be there. Not forced by a contract.

I gotta really disagree with you...

The purest form of love isn't a WANT, it's a commitment to the best for another person. Is co-habitation or long term dating really the best for the other party? Wouldn't they be better off with an iron clad commitment of "until death do we part" with a person who makes sacrifices and chooses the best for their spouse?