Is Marriage Declining?

In a report titled The Decline of Marriage and the Rise of New Families, the Pew Research Center wrote that marriage is in a sharp decline in the United States. They reference a survey indicating that in 2008, 26 percent of adults in their twenties were married. But in 1960 that same age group had a marriage rate of 68 percent. They also say in 1960 about 72 percent of all adults were married, but today only an estimated 52 percent are.

When asked if marriage was becoming obsolete, 39 percent of those surveyed said it is compared with 28 percent who said the same thing in 1978. Adults living in cohabitation, but not married tended to agree with the view that marriage is becoming obsolete.

One attitude revealed by the survey which contradicted the apparent declining interest in marriage, was optimism about marriage compared with other elements of American society such as public education, the economy and morality/ethics. In other words there was more optimism about marriage than any of those other societal aspects.

The decline in marriage, according to the report, is stronger for adults with no college education. College graduates with strong incomes have continued marrying at a consistent and fairly high rate. Education level and income were tied closely with marriage in another way: median household income for married adults was 41 percent higher than for unmarried adults. The report makes a case for both a marriage gap and income gap, even saying they might be linked. According to their data, people with less education may put off marriage in order to find economic stability first, yet given the economic conditions presently this may only delay or eliminate marriage.

Family structures have changed along with attitudes about marriage and marriage rates. Families with a single woman raising children are frowned upon the most, with 69 percent saying it is bad for society. Cohabitation is generally looked upon with acceptance, and the importance of family is agreed upon by 76 percent of the respondents. While this fact may seem confusing or even contradictory, it actually isn’t because it is the notion of what marriage is and how it is practiced that has changed, not the central position of family in people’s lives. For example, in 1960 divorce was not common and was viewed as a failure and even shameful. Today divorce is common and seen as a practical solution to an unhappy or unproductive marriage, and the relationship that is left behind is seen as a learning experience, not an unmitigated disaster or shame for an entire family. Parents who have divorced often remain committed to raising their children, just with a different family structure, including if they re-marry and step-parents are absorbed into the family.

Read more: Do Good, Family, Love, News & Issues, Relationships, Sex, marriage

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michele W.

1:08PM PDT on Jul 30, 2011

Thank you

send a green star

Jewel R.

10:30PM PST on Dec 7, 2010

In My Opinion People Are Just Taking More Time To Evaluate Their Personal Situations..... Gone Is The Time Where People Have To Get Married To Turn Strangers Into Family In Order To Survive (Do Your Research, Love Wasn't Even Thought Of In The Beginning)!!!!! Gone Are The Times Where You HAD To Have Several Children To Help Harvest The Crops!!!!!

Now People Can Truly Make The Decisions That Will Be Right For Them (Unless Of Course You're A Same-Sex Couple In This Country, In Which Case Our Government Says You're Not A Whole Person)!!!!!

Athena C.

11:42AM PST on Nov 30, 2010

Interesting that you put education in there as a factor of getting and or staying married. Hmmm.

Richard L.

4:41PM PST on Nov 29, 2010

I don,t think that marraige is in a decline just being tested for its need of keeping a contract of living &loving forever.

DORIS L.

4:32PM PST on Nov 29, 2010

Iwould not like to think marraige is in decline. Ifeel that it is a contract of taking care and loving each other forever.

Anne S.

3:13PM PST on Nov 29, 2010

I think marriage is a personal commitment that works if you find your soul-mate. Just drifting into parent-hood can be bad news for children, if you want them to feel as secure as possible. Tying the knot shows you have thought it through. Parenthood is difficult enough without two parents and all the extended family you can muster (which includes baby-sitting circles, church families etc!) If you've taken the trouble to make the vows I think you're more likely to stick together for better and for worse. Divorce is always possible if you find you've made a serious mistake, but it's not that easy so better not to marry in the beginning if you aren't sure about your relationship. As with most decision-making it's good to do a risk assessment before you begin!!

Past Member .

6:51AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

I think that there has been more of a focus on stronger morality issues and more enlightenment of knowing one's partner before making a serious commitment of marriage. I also feel that couples think more of holding off having children until they are financially stable and looking at the way they want to raise their children. Marriage isn't on the decline necessarily but more of an awareness of whether or not to make that decision. However, I feel that divorce has been on the rise.

Victoria S.

5:42AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

I don't think it's declining, people just think longer about their commitments. I'm 28 and if I had married my 1st boyfriend when I was in my early 20s I would have made a huge mistake. These last 2 years I've been with the right person and we do intend to get married. Oddly enough he got divorced from the woman he married when he was 19! I think people just take more time, to make sure they are with the right person now.

KS G.

4:52AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

Thanks for the article.

Mari '.

2:47AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

I for one think marriage is not real. Why? Because gay people do not have the rights to get married. I find the government just a joke. You do not get married to breed you get married because you love someone and when gay people have the right to get married I might take the whole issue seriously.