I don't disagree. Children need stability, but I don't think they're getting it as things are currently anyway. Maybe there is some middle ground, but I hesitate to make anyone legally bound to another person. We've seen all the many ways that goes wrong.

Maybe the answer is simply mandatory agreements between mother and father where there is a child involved. If there are no children, then no legal commitment is necessary.

The flip side is if there is incentive to "couple off", why punish those who can't find a partner? I know plenty of people (particularly men) who would love to be in a long term committed relationship but can't find one. So is it fair to incentivize a situation that is not necessarily under ones control?