Let me tell you my opinion on marriage. Whatever you do, you will make mistake, so if you decide not to get married you will make mistake and if you decide to get married you will also make even bigger mistake. The only difference is that you can get kids out of marriage, and that is the only thing worth living for.
To sum up, yeah it can be a punishment if you look at it that way, but is it worth it, sure it is. Much better than being alone.