![]() Roughly half of all adults (47%) believe that this is very important, and an additional 21% consider it somewhat important. Among those ages 50 and older, most (55%) say society is better off if people make it a priority to get married and have children.ĭespite these mixed views about the role of marriage in society, most Americans (68%) continue to believe it is important for couples to marry if they plan to spend the rest of their lives together. Fully two-thirds of those ages 18 to 29 (67%) express this viewpoint, as do 53% of those ages 30 to 49. Opinions on this issue differ sharply by age-with young adults much more likely than older adults to say society is just as well off if people have priorities other than marriage and children. Some 46% of adults chose the first statement, while 50% chose the second. Survey respondents were asked which of the following statements came closer to their own views: Society is better off if people make marriage and having children a priority, or society is just as well off if people have priorities other than marriage and children. Recent survey data from the Pew Research Center finds a public that is deeply divided over the role marriage plays in society. In 2012, 16% of whites had never been married, compared with 8% in 1960. Fully 36% of blacks ages 25 and older had never been married in 2012, up from 9% in 1960.įor whites, the share of never-married adults has doubled over that same period. This trend cuts across all major racial and ethnic groups but has been more pronounced among blacks. In addition, shifting public attitudes, hard economic times and changing demographic patterns may all be contributing to the rising share of never-married adults. 2 About a quarter (24%) of never-married young adults ages 25 to 34 are living with a partner, according to Pew Research analysis of Current Population Survey data. The median age at first marriage is now 27 for women and 29 for men, up from 20 for women and 23 for men in 1960. Adults are marrying later in life, and the shares of adults cohabiting and raising children outside of marriage have increased significantly. The dramatic rise in the share of never-married adults and the emerging gender gap are related to a variety of factors. ![]() 17% in 2012).Īnd this gender gap has widened since 1960, when 10% of men ages 25 and older and 8% of women of the same age had never married. 1 Men are more likely than women to have never been married (23% vs. In 1960, only about one-in-ten adults (9%) in that age range had never been married. In 2012, one-in-five adults ages 25 and older (about 42 million people) had never been married,Īccording to a new Pew Research Center analysis of census data. After decades of declining marriage rates and changes in family structure, the share of American adults who have never been married is at an historic high.
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