I think so. I think your point of view is not that far from mine. I just feel that it is the prerogative of the participants in a marriage to judge it's success or failure, not society at large.

My wife and I are currently planning our divorce :) I like to use the 'cooperative uncoupling' paradigm. Once she's able to find employment to support herself, help to support our kids and has health insurance, we're pulling the plug. I've agree to stay together because it is in my best interest as a father to support her until she can provide a financially stable environment for our children.

We've been married almost 20 years, we still care about each other. We both no longer feel the same way that we did when we got married.

With the divorce rate at 50% and women are no longer dependent on men for financial support and we live longer, I don't see why we should stay married for another 30, 40 or 50 years just because... At the same time I also can't say I regret being married all of the last 20 years either.

Regardless, we're committed to co-parenting and maintaining our relationship as the parents of our two children. We've discussed our triumphs and our failures in our marriage and I think we're on the same page.