Marriage was created to transfer property rights to heirs and to forge alliances. It was not created to "raise children properly." The Church was against marriage for many years. I suggest you read "Marriage, a History" by Stephanie Coontz to understand marriage.

I have many friends who have married in their later years—their marriage absolutely has worth. The government gives them more than 1,000 perks and privileges for putting a ring on it, children or not.