Despite a growing population, marriages across the country continue to drop. Ironically, divorce rates have followed this slide but at a much higher rate than marriages. Using data from the CDC, we can infer that marriages are generally becoming rarer, but more stable. Marriage rates have dropped from 8.2 per 1000 population in 2000 to 6.2 per 1000 population in 2022, a 24% decline. Divorce rates have dropped much faster from 4.0 per 1000 population to 2.4 per 1000 population, a 40% decline. This divergence is ever more evident especially with the inclusion of finalized 2022 data.
Census data has shown a significant decline in marriage rates in America since 1960, with fewer people marrying before the age of 30 and an increasing acceptance of unmarried cohabitation, particularly among couples with children. While some see marriage as symbolizing stability and fidelity crucial for intimate relationships, others, emphasize that family structure matters less than the care and stability provided to children, regardless of marital status.
Experts attribute the decline in marriage in recent years to various factors, including access to educational and career opportunities for women, and a shift in marriage from economic necessity to personal fulfillment. The availability of birth control empowered women to control the timing of motherhood and pursue higher education and careers, impacting the traditional roles and dynamics within marriage.
Marriage rates vary across socioeconomic groups, with college-educated individuals more likely to have stable marriages. Despite changing attitudes toward marriage, there is still a desire for long-term commitment, with many people innovating new ways of forming partnerships. Cohabitation has become increasingly common, often preceding marriage as couples seek to learn more about each other before committing. Experts advocate for a more nuanced approach to marriage, emphasizing compatibility, communication, and shared values over traditional notions of social structure.
These exact factors that affect the marriage rate might be the same reason for the rapidly declining divorce rate. Marriage has become a choice only made when couples are sure of their intentions. Though there is some attestable timeseries lag between marriages and divorces, the divergence in the past few years is still statistically significant.
As America continues to evolve culturally and economically, so too does the institution of marriage. While some lament the decline of traditional marriage models, others see opportunities for individuals to make choices that best suit their happiness and circumstances. Ultimately, the shifting landscape of marriage reflects broader societal changes and challenges, prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes a fulfilling and sustainable partnership in the modern era.