topic Re: Marriage Trending Down in Community Chat

Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:27:34 GMT

The share of Americans living without a partner has increased, especially among young adults

The share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner climbed to 42% in 2017, up from 39% in 2007 – a trend seen particularly among young adults. Roughly six-in-ten adults younger than 35 are now living without a spouse or partner, up from 56% just 10 years ago.

Pew Research Center

Re: Marriage Trending Down

DiAnne — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:31:36 GMT

My grandchildern at 29 and 30. Are single and living alone. I haven't heard any complaints from either one.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:33:00 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
My grandchildern at 29 and 30. Are single and living alone. I haven't heard any complaints from either one.

Yes, it's by choice so I don't think they're complaining.

@DiAnne

Re: Marriage Trending Down

DiAnne — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:35:42 GMT

@Noel7

I actually think it is a good thing. They know they have options.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:38:27 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
@Noel7

I actually think it is a good thing. They know they have options.

@DiAnne

I do, too. I can remember all the pressure to get married, and married young. It was expected of us back in the day. Horrible.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Snowpuppy — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:40:09 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
My grandchildern at 29 and 30. Are single and living alone. I haven't heard any complaints from either one.

The complaints I've heard from the young professional guys is that they are looking for someone to settle down with and can't find anyone who is much interested.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Moonchilde — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:44:40 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
The share of Americans living without a partner has increased, especially among young adults

The share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner climbed to 42% in 2017, up from 39% in 2007 – a trend seen particularly among young adults. Roughly six-in-ten adults younger than 35 are now living without a spouse or partner, up from 56% just 10 years ago.

Pew Research Center

@Noel7, does this survey include those cohabiting but without Da Licence?

I feel that actual, legal marriage has been on a steady decline since the 60s compared to the first half of the 20th C, judging by all I know, see and hear from friends, family, co-workers, the media, etc.

Marriage has become At Last for many, instead of At First and then divorce. Which, IMO, is a good thing. Similarly, women waiting to have a child until they’re mature and financially stable and/or in a stable relationship - so much better for the planned for, wanted children born either to a couple who will want and care for them equally, or a strong, financially stable mom.

I approve of both trends. JMO.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:54:58 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
@DiAnne wrote:
My grandchildern at 29 and 30. Are single and living alone. I haven't heard any complaints from either one.
The complaints I've heard from the young professional guys is that they are looking for someone to settle down with and can't find anyone who is much interested.

@Snowpuppy

From studies I've read over the past few years, that's it. It's the women mostly who don't want to get married, especially when they are young. A lot of women can support themselves and some don't want to have children. Others are career oriented.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:59:27 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
The share of Americans living without a partner has increased, especially among young adults

The share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner climbed to 42% in 2017, up from 39% in 2007 – a trend seen particularly among young adults. Roughly six-in-ten adults younger than 35 are now living without a spouse or partner, up from 56% just 10 years ago.

Pew Research Center

@Noel7, does this survey include those cohabiting but without Da Licence?

I feel that actual, legal marriage has been on a steady decline since the 60s compared to the first half of the 20th C, judging by all I know, see and hear from friends, family, co-workers, the media, etc.

Marriage has become At Last for many, instead of At First and then divorce. Which, IMO, is a good thing. Similarly, women waiting to have a child until they’re mature and financially stable and/or in a stable relationship - so much better for the planned for, wanted children born either to a couple who will want and care for them equally, or a strong, financially stable mom.

I approve of both trends. JMO.

@Moonchilde

I think so:

"The share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner..."

I may try to track down more on the study. My opening post is all that came in the email from Pew about it.

I agree with your comments and observations.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:02:35 GMT

@Moonchildeand others:

Here's a lot more on the study and data:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/10/11/the-share-of-americans-living-without-a-partner-has-increased-especially-among-young-adults/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=a2b9bd68d5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3e953b9b70-a2b9bd68d5-399518501

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:05:41 GMT

This is interesting:

DIVORCE

Divorce has likely not contributed to the growing share of unpartnered adults over this short period. Though divorce statistics are complicated, many argue that the divorce rate has generally been stable or falling since the 1980s.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:16:28 GMT

My youngest daughter is 37 and lives alone....well she does have a dog...that's it! Her boyfriend also 37 lives alone.

One thing I've noticed in my neighborhood is the difference in dynamics of households.

For instance, recent new neighbor's are living like this: in one house is a (now husband and wife living with her sister, in another house is a brother and sister and her child, in yet another house is young couple who say they'll not have children). Recently down the street a retired couple moved in so they could live near their only child (who lives a few miles away), another house has a retired man and his daughter and her son and on and on. These are all single houses sitting on 1 acre.

There are a few houses with husband and wife and child/children, but the majority of houses have the dynamics I mentioned above.

The people who'd moved out of those houses were married, had several children, retired and moved out of state (in almost every instance).

This is interesting. My friend said she thinks it's because housing is so expensive people have to be creative to be able to afford a house.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

trenet — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:19:37 GMT

Even with marrying later, having multiple or serial relationships, that there still is a large number of women (and some men too) who still talk about finding their "soulmate". Strange!

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:23:08 GMT

@Annabellethecat66

I agree with your friend regarding the mixed housing combinations you mentioned.

Housing is so expensive, a lot of people have moved in together, especially adult children with their parent or parents.

My grandmother lived with my parents and me for years until she passed.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Noel7 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:25:41 GMT

@trenet wrote:
Even with marrying later, having multiple or serial relationships, that there still is a large number of women (and some men too) who still talk about finding their "soulmate". Strange!

@trenet

You're right. IMO the "soulmate" thing is off-putting. It raises the bar too high, or at least makes it sound like something it isn't.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:27:17 GMT

I was in my late 30's when I married, almost 20 years ago.

It was not a goal of mine. Someone asked, and I said yes.

Though I do like the company of a partner, and financially things are simpler when "joined" - I have had moments when I would like to be un-married, but I realize that when one has a decent arrangement it is best to stay right there. I'm glad I have some help getting through life.

Don't know what I will do if he dies before me, though I know i can sustain myself.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:37:08 GMT

@Noel7I was thinking about how things have changed because when my late husband and I wanted to get a house we had one heck of a time because I was in my mid twenties and banks did not want to lend us money to buy it because I was 'of child bearing age'. That meant (they said) that I might have a child and not be able to work, thus not be able to add to his income!

He'd been in the Army so we were eventually able to go to a military credit union and borrow the money we needed. I know many of the banks would not have loaned us the money to get the house had we not been married. We had to meet a certain amount of money and they would just accept HIS income, not mine......none of it made sense but those were the rules back in the 60's.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Bibione — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:42:08 GMT

Tomorrow my cousin,his girlfriend and their kid are coming to visit me.My other cousin has 2 kids and is not married.Here in Italy I know couples who just live together even one or two kids.From what I heard ,divorced women get tons of alimony even if the kids are grown and out of the house.

Re: Marriage Trending Down

homedecor1 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 22:55:01 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
@DiAnne wrote:
@Noel7

I actually think it is a good thing. They know they have options.
@DiAnne

I do, too. I can remember all the pressure to get married, and married young. It was expected of us back in the day. Horrible.

@Noel7

Oh yes the pressure! Interesting conversation I had w my spouse today! We both realize we DID get married to young (or I should say I did right out of college - he's older) we are facing a big life changing decision.

re: our children don't want or have pressure to marry (like us)

kids today are well educated, travel, have good jobs & they decide the path of their life!!! I admire them & sometimes I wish I could rewind my life!!

Re: Marriage Trending Down

Starpolisher — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 23:12:20 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
@DiAnne wrote:
My grandchildern at 29 and 30. Are single and living alone. I haven't heard any complaints from either one.
The complaints I've heard from the young professional guys is that they are looking for someone to settle down with and can't find anyone who is much interested.

This seems to be the situation for my youngest son. He's 36. He's an attractive guy, makes a substantial salary, has a nice laid back personality, owns a beautiful condo in the city yet he's still single. He also says the women nowadays don't want to or know how to cook or clean. I do see this with my sweet dil as well as my friends dil's as well. They certainly don't believe in the traditional roles that I'm used to. He does travel quite a bit and he is happy. That's what's important to me. To each his own but unfortunately for me it means I probably won't have any grandchildren from him. My ds' both believe that marriage should be in the equation before children.