Obsolete? Not in my opinion. Marriage is as important and meaningful to me as it is to my husband. That is not to say that another couple places the same importance upon marriage, for it is only relevant to those who consider it meaningful and binding. Not everyone places such importance upon a marriage contract - for that is what it is...a contract. Marriage takes work and commitment, by both partners. I'm not saying that relationships without the "contract" don't take work and commitment, but having the contract binds the commitment by law.