Marriages are disappearing worldwide as people are using intelligence and technology to live freely without marriages or children. Developed countries have seen very few legal marriages in the last 20 years. People are no longer bound by blind biology and can have pre-marital relationships and sex without fear of pregnancy due to inventions like birth control. This has empowered women to stand equally with men. As a result, families and eventually nations may disappear, removing causes of conflicts like wars. In developing countries, marriages are still often forced by tradition and religion.