>but because having a stable long-term partner seems like it can be beneficial in helping people through hard times This becomes truer with age, too. How much

>but because having a stable long-term partner seems like it can be beneficial in helping people through hard times This becomes truer with age, too. How much extra energy do you have at 45? Do you have an extended family to help you? Not everyone has a good family, but with a marriage you have two chances at having a family. People will say polyamory doesn't preclude this, but there are hardships I'd never consider outside of a serious marriage. (full time financial support, integration into a family structure, etc.)