Marriage is set as an equal parntership by default, but it isn't necessarily the case. If one feels it is unfair that the partnership is considered equal when it is dissolved, even if the woman didn't contribute to 50% of its value, then you should be fighting for equal pay.
Since we're now talking about the benefits of marriage over other long term relationships arragements, I can see 2. The first benefit is social recognition: you publicly declare your relationship and, with many people and institutions, get taken a lot more seriously for it. This publicly, legally acknolwedged partnership also means that you can take decisions (medical, for example) for one another if your spouse is unfit to do so themselves. Try doing that with your boyfriend.
The second is that you can grant financial protection to your spouse. Amazingly, there are people out there who love their partner so much they'll agree to be trusting and possibly generous at the risk of being ripped off. You can co-own a home and share your revenues informally with your girlfriend/boyfriend but that only works as long as you are healthy and alive.
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