Well, it is easy to see why you aren't married, and probably shouldn't be.
Leafing through your statement, I count four "I"s, three "my"s, three "mine"s, and only two "we"s.
So, you have a point. This is not just about gay marriage. It's sometimes a lot more about "me".
As a psycho-analyst, you failed miserably.
I am married, and happily so for many years.
Where you failed, was in thinking ourside of your personal 'box'. Think as someone else would, NOT as you would. You may view marriage as a team effort to raise children, but not everyone does.
Considering the legal ramifications of a 'legal' marriage, especially in Europe; why would any sane man give away his possessions, income and decision making capabilities, when he can simply move in with his girlfriend and recieve his 'benefits' without legal ramifications? Worst case scenario of this, is child support.
So, what does he avoid? Well, how about paying his ex-wife alimony until she either dies, or marries some other schmuck? She can move in with another boyfriend, and stil recieve YOUR alimony, the payments only end when she decides to marry another. How about actually keeping the home he bought/earned/inhereted before he even met her? How about avoiding paying child support for kids she had with a previous husband/boyfriend?
Not all marriages last, and not all marriages SHOULD last. Making a marriage work requires active participation from both parties. Some couples either decide not to work together, or a single member decides to abandon it. But, either way; the MAN is the one who foots the financial and property damages. So again, why would any sane man chose to legally limit his life?
Very nice! Good points.