Recent Trends in Marriage Today

According to the Pew Research Center, just over half of the adults in the United States are marrying today (Cohn, et. al., 2011). Fifty years ago, 72% to 80 % of adults got married. It is expected that the current marital rate may drop below 50% in the next few years. Compared to previous generations of Americans, fewer and fewer people are tying the knot. What is interesting, though, is that the divorce rate is declining as well. Although fewer adults are getting married today, those couples that do may be getting more successful at it.

Unlike the young adults of the 1950s and 60s who typically married in their early twenties, couples today are putting off marriage until later. They are choosing instead to co-habitate, live together with their single friends or stay at home with their parents. Some women are choosing single parenthood to marriage. Today, unlike the 1950s, women have greater economic power, greater social independence and higher educational status, all of which has impacted marriage rates (Cherlin, 2009).

That 61% of adults see themselves definitely getting married someday and that another 27% of adults would like to but are unsure they ever will suggest that many young people still see marriage as an important life goal for themselves (Cohn, et. al., 2011). It is a choice that many individuals are making, however, after they have completed their education, have clarity around their career choice or have attained other important life goals. Compared to the 1950s when young adults viewed marriage as the main pathway to adulthood, many people today see marriage as one possible path among many to a fulfilling and happy life. For couples that choose this pathway, marriage can be an expression of an extraordinary commitment to grow as individuals and develop a partnership in co-creating a life of shared values and meaning.

References

Cherlin, A.J. (2009). The Marriage-Go-Round: The state of marriage and family in America today. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Cohn, D., Passel, J., Wang, W., & Livingston, G. (2011). Barely half of U.S. adults are married – A record low. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center.

Posted in Partnership Marriage