In Islam it is clear that marriage is the optimum lifestyle.  
"And among His signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed Signs for people who reflect." (AL-Qur’an 30:21). 

Yet, as more and more Muslims become a part of the 'West', the 'West' becomes part of the Ummah (Muslims) and is leading us away from the strict interpretation of Islamic guidelines in regard to Marriage. 

A Muslim is not permitted to touch, have social intercourse, have personal relationships, have intimate relationships or date members of the opposite sex outside of specific 'blood' relationships and marriage it is forbidden in Islam. The generation today disagree with this and feelsit to be 'old-fashioned' and that 'times have changed'. We can always counter by saying that the injunctions of the Qur'an/Sunnah will never change -It’s for everyone and any generation.
In cultures outside of Islam, dating and touching exist. We see the results every day. Women and men go in and out of relationships, many children are born out of wedlock, and children remain fatherless. Fatherless homes are quite normal, these homes tend to have a lower standard of living and a higher rate of troubled children. 

Marriage is a blessing for us; Muslims are encouraged to marry and to marry early. Holy Prophet (sas) said, "When a man marries, he indeed perfects half of his religion. Then he should fear Allah for the remaining half."
Marriage eliminates the temptation for Zina, thus assisting partners to remain on the 'straight path' for which Allah has created for us.  

Women are encouraged to marry a good Muslim man who offers himself. Men are able to choose a woman based on her appearance, her wealth, her social standing, or her God Consciousness - the latter being the greatest. Nowhere does it say that women can choose based on an educational degree or profession. Nowhere does it say a woman or man may seek a spouse based on ethnicity or nationality. Yet, often there are matrimonial ads on Matrimonial Websites placed by a woman or her family seeking a 'professional man' or a man of specific ethnic or national origin. Often we see matrimonial ads placed by a man looking for a woman of specific educational degree or specific ethnicity or national origin. 

The notion of 'arranged' marriages is still the Islamic way. Marriages may be arranged by family, through a service, through friends, through relatives and these days we are also blessed with Muslim Matrimony Sites which helps to find the right partner.

We keep seeing people in marital problems as they have not clear awareness of responsibilities as per Marriage in Islam. If there is a conflict, it is due to what we are bringing in but not what Islam teaches us. 

While these are 'modern' times, Islam is a perfect Religion - the 'categorical imperative' - in regard to the guidelines for life, including marriage has not changed - and will not change Inshallah.