I agree with you. I didn’t make myself clear in my previous statement:
I should have added that this is a more reasonable approach to formalize a marriage when it comes to ensuring parental and children’s rights in case of conflict between the parents.
Although, the laws regarding parental rights within marriage or after divorce are far from equal in most countries. Particularly in Greece, men are often required to pay women, while women typically retain custody of the children. Fathers can only spend time with their children for a specified number of hours or days per week, as defined by the court, and often under the mother’s permission. There are ongoing protests from fathers demanding equal time with their children, highlighting the systemic issues with current custody laws. And it can get far more complicated than this.
Usually, reasonable people, in rare circumstances, don’t seek divorce unless they plan to remarry. When they do, they often share parental responsibilities, both financial and nurturing, without judicial intervention. In such cases, a simple civil marriage at the town hall could adequately protect children’s rights.
Again, I wrote a bold statement without properly grounding my views. I don’t wish to expand further on this as it falls outside the context of this topic. I oppose marriage as a ritual (not as a contract) which creates a fiction bond between couples.