Marriage rates are at a record low as a new Pew Research Center study revealed barely half of adults in the U.S. are married. 51 percent of people over age 18 are married, down from 72 percent in 1960. The median age for people getting married increased to 26.5 in women and 28.7 for men. The largest drop in number of new marriages occurred in adults aged 18-29, down to 20 percent from 59 percent in 1960. Several factors were given to this trend. High divorce rates in the 1970s and 1980s may have contributed to disillusioned ideas about marriage.
Executive Vice President of the Pew Research Center speculated the economy may be a contributing factor. “It has been difficult for young adults economically to get started in life. There is a feeling of ‘We’re not ready to get married. I don’t have the financial security. I can’t be a provider,'” Taylor said. This is not necessarily a bad thing, according to therapist Nina Atwood, who says the delay may contribute to people making better relationship decisions. “The ability to look further down the road, being able to see ahead strategically, doesn’t really come into place until you’re in your mid-20s,” Atwood said.
