Aren’t some couples who never marry still committed to one another in stable relationships?
Yes, but statistics show these are exceptions since unmarried couples are less likely to stay together very long. In theory, of course two unmarried people can be committed to one another in an enduring relationship. But when it comes to determining the level of commitment in a legal context, objective, bright line evidence of that commitment is best. Marriage is the best evidence of that commitment and provides an objective test that the law can most easily and uniformly administer and apply.
