No. They do not, beyond being a source of revenue and control by the state. And not a very good one at that.
Increasing numbers of cohabitants disdain the marriage license as an unnecessary and intrusive impediment to their life style. Many of these same persons would be more than willing to become celebrants in a religious ceremony of commitment.
The state provides a legal entanglement, not a moral protection.
The protection of children is a spurious argument for licensure. Child support is determined by paternity, not a license.
> In so doing the government has abdicated any semblance of protecting society from abhorrent marital exercise, consanguine or otherwise.
You contradict yourself.
> The protection of children is a spurious argument for licensure. Child support is determined by paternity, not a license.
Child support? That has nothing to do with the topic: child marriage.
Do you or do you not support laws prohibiting child marriage?
Do you or do you not support laws prohibiting consanguineous marriage?
Very simple questions.