Reply #9: Neither. Or Both, circumstances depending. For some, they make

[mcscajun]

perfect sense.

Someone who is either widowed or divorced with an established family and obligations to them, extensive personal property, etc., should probably have one. When both parties have their own personal fortunes and careers, the same applies.

The less you have, the less essential they are.

Of course, in any all cases they could be relationship killers if there is a substantial weakness in the relationship to begin with.