Dating: what's the point?

It seems today that I know more marriages that turn to divorce then marriages that last. That seems backwards to me. Dating today, especially the relationships closest to me, seems to be more physical then emotional. No relationship I know claim to be heading for marriage. Isn't that supposed to be the purpose of dating, to find the person you want to marry. So why do we now stay with people we know that we aren't going to marry? Or better question, why do people get married with the thought if it doesn't work out we can just get a divorce? That's not how it's supposed to be. Especially in kids my age, some people catagorize hooking up as being in a relationship. I am not naive, I know that is a huge part of a relationship. But sharing your life and mind, your thoughts and dreams is if not just as important more important. Then you have other people who stay together because they are afraid of being alone. I understand this feel, everyone needs the feeling of being wanted. However, we can't be afraid of being alone. You can not build a marriage on that. Further, with that mentality you not going to wind up with the person you belong with. You could miss out on your true love because you are afraid. People are so afraid of being alone they turn to physical interaction 'hooking up' to feel close to people. However you define it, it seems to have a negative connotation today. You hardly ever hear people on a committed relationship say they hooked up with each other. Hooking up breads this culture of almost excessive sexual intimacy with multiple people, and that being "cool."