What are we really looking for?

It seems in our society that marriage has become little more than a gaudy ring, and a proposal to honor;cherish; and love one another through thick and thin(of course with your fingers cross). Why do people choose to subject themselves to these social standards of love and comment? Have we become so desperate that we will just gladly accept a role with an individual we care little for or haven't gotten to know completely? How much do we even care to know? Are we just content with embracing as little as possible in order to fulfill our on selfish desires? We speak of change and acceptance but how much are we even willing to alter to achieve this holy grail(Love). I believe as human beings we rarely do what's best for us. Maybe, marriage is one of those institutions which should be avoid like many other undesirables (i.e. Crack, alcohol). Although, with the latter two, your addiction is pitied.