Yes and nO. Ithink it holds meaning for the couple if, and only if, both value it's meaning and respect the institute of marriage and divorce. Mind you I am the product of a married middle class couple who divorced. I was raised by my mom and her companion who have been together for 35+ yrs and find no value in a piece of paper. However, I married and did find value until he betrayed me in his heart. So Again I believe that it holds value only if the couple feels it holds value.

Interesting,,and true. We placed value on the marriage papers but did not place value on the divorce papers...we wanted others to be involved in and acknowledge our commitment, but we felt noone else needed to be involved in our decision to end it.

And yet the divorce effects and involves so many more people than the original act of marriage did. The longer together, the more involved besides the couple divorcing.