[watwut]

Yes. That is where age gap between partners comes to play. Among other things, it ensures exactly that. The stereotype at the time was that women want marry soon and men avoid commitment and want to stay single longer.

The other reasons are sex, social pressure and actually feeling in love and marriage being expected expression of that.

[dmaldona]

So, let's see if I understand correctly: women did not want to marry but did so out of economic necessity.

Men did not want to marry either, but did so out of societal pressure.

Both Man and Woman did not want to marry but did so nevertheless, due to the structure of the society.

[watwut]

> Wouldn't it be easier for them to remain single and enjoy their freedom and wealth?

Men married later then women. That way men got more years of freedom. That was normal.

Women wanted to marry, because economy, because married women had higher social status, to leave parents house, because that was expected of them anyway etc.

Single men were somewhat discriminated against too in employment situations and married men had higher social status.

Nevertheless, stereotype at time was girl trying to force marriage from male afraid of commitment. Perfectly reasonable answer to question about that exactly.

[rixed]

Sounds like work, religion, school, hygiene, or any other social behavior, doesn't it?

What's the alternatives?

Shall we view marriage as some kind of instinctive behavior?

Or some kind of rational decision supported by some game theory?