As anywhere else in the world, marriage is a legal and social institution in America. The marriage laws in almost all territories and states are homogeneous except for some minor differences in a few states in terms of legal age of marriage. However, the laws have changed substantially over the years, such as removal of ban on interracial marriages and same sex marriage. The definition of relationships has also transposed dramatically over the last few decades. A Stuart fl divorce attorney would substantiate the fact that though incidence of divorce has come down among the younger Americans over the years, so has the number of marriages that take place in America every year. From live in relationships to interracial marriages to same sex marriage, there are some amazing facts about love and marriage in America that you should know.
Median Age and Percentage of Marriage
Lesser numbers of Americans are getting married these days, about 50% as of a 2018 report. In 1960 this figure was 72% and around 60% in 1990. Also, Americans are marrying late; the median age of first marriage, which was 20 years for women and 23 years for men in the 1960s has reason to 28 years for women and 30 years for men, according to 2018 report of the US Census Bureau.
While the marriage rate has declined, the divorce rates among older people have increased. Compared to 1990, the divorce rate among people above ages 50 has doubled in 2015. For people above ages 65 the divorce rate has almost tripled.
Love is the Top Reason for Americans to Marry
About 90% of Americans surveyed cited love as the primary reason to get married. Lifelong commitment was a close second at 81% while companionship stood third at 76%. About 30% said getting their relationship recognized in religious ceremony was their reason to get married. Financial stability at 28% and legal rights and benefits at 23% were other reasons to get married. These figures have been provided by a 2013 Pew Research Centre survey.
Providing financial stability is seen as the prime characteristic for men to be a good husband or a partner. About 70 % said that for men to be a good husband or a partner, they should be able to financially support a family, while for women the same parameter was said to be 32%.
In a 2015 survey, 64% respondents said having shared interests and 61% said satisfying sexual relationship as important reasons for staying married. According to Stuart fl divorce attorney, sharing household chores was another reason for a successful marriage with 56 % people citing it as an important criterion.
Cohabiting with a Partner is on the Rise.
In 2016, 7% of Americans were cohabiting. In absolute terms Americans living with unmarried partner was 18 million in 2016, which is about 30% increase over the 2007 figures. Half of those cohabiting were below the age of 35 years. However, cohabiting among people of ages 50 and above is rapidly on the rise.
A vast majority of people across generations say that it doesn’t make much of a difference to the society whether couples living together are married or not. While just over 50% from the silent generation say the society doesn’t care much about cohabitation, just above 40 % say it’s not a good thing. The younger generation, on the other hand, is almost indifferent towards cohabiting
Remarriage is on the Rise.
Number of people marrying again has been steadily rising over the years. In 2013 percentage of married people who had been married before were 23 as compared to only 13% in 1960. In 40% of marriages in 2013, at least one spouse had been married before and in 20% of marriages both the spouse had been married before.
Also, remarriage is more common among men than women. According to the 2013 Census Bureau data, around 64% of the bridegrooms had been married before whereas 52% of brides had been previously married. A common perception is that women are less interested in tying the knot for a second time. This is substantiated by a 2014 survey where 54% women said they were disinclined towards remarrying as compared to only 30% of men who said so.
Increase in Interracial Marriage
In 2015 around 17% of marriages were interracial. In 1967 this figure was just 3%. So there has been a steady increase in interracial marriages over the years. While Asians and Hispanics are likely to intermarry the most, 29% and 27% respectively, the most significant increase in intermarriage have happened among the blacks. As compared to 5% of intermarriage among blacks in 1980 the figure rose to 11% in 2015.
Both, generation Z and Millennials advocate interracial marriage as a good thing the most, silent generation is the least supportive of intermarriage.
Apart from the above mentioned facts, it would be pertinent to note that support for legalising same sex marriage has been steadily growing in recent years, and the most vociferous supporters are the generation Z and the Millennials. Also, inter-religion marriages have shown a steady increase of late.
Median Age and Percentage of Marriage
Lesser numbers of Americans are getting married these days, about 50% as of a 2018 report. In 1960 this figure was 72% and around 60% in 1990. Also, Americans are marrying late; the median age of first marriage, which was 20 years for women and 23 years for men in the 1960s has reason to 28 years for women and 30 years for men, according to 2018 report of the US Census Bureau.
While the marriage rate has declined, the divorce rates among older people have increased. Compared to 1990, the divorce rate among people above ages 50 has doubled in 2015. For people above ages 65 the divorce rate has almost tripled.
Love is the Top Reason for Americans to Marry
About 90% of Americans surveyed cited love as the primary reason to get married. Lifelong commitment was a close second at 81% while companionship stood third at 76%. About 30% said getting their relationship recognized in religious ceremony was their reason to get married. Financial stability at 28% and legal rights and benefits at 23% were other reasons to get married. These figures have been provided by a 2013 Pew Research Centre survey.
Providing financial stability is seen as the prime characteristic for men to be a good husband or a partner. About 70 % said that for men to be a good husband or a partner, they should be able to financially support a family, while for women the same parameter was said to be 32%.
In a 2015 survey, 64% respondents said having shared interests and 61% said satisfying sexual relationship as important reasons for staying married. According to Stuart fl divorce attorney, sharing household chores was another reason for a successful marriage with 56 % people citing it as an important criterion.
Cohabiting with a Partner is on the Rise.
In 2016, 7% of Americans were cohabiting. In absolute terms Americans living with unmarried partner was 18 million in 2016, which is about 30% increase over the 2007 figures. Half of those cohabiting were below the age of 35 years. However, cohabiting among people of ages 50 and above is rapidly on the rise.
A vast majority of people across generations say that it doesn’t make much of a difference to the society whether couples living together are married or not. While just over 50% from the silent generation say the society doesn’t care much about cohabitation, just above 40 % say it’s not a good thing. The younger generation, on the other hand, is almost indifferent towards cohabiting
Remarriage is on the Rise.
Number of people marrying again has been steadily rising over the years. In 2013 percentage of married people who had been married before were 23 as compared to only 13% in 1960. In 40% of marriages in 2013, at least one spouse had been married before and in 20% of marriages both the spouse had been married before.
Also, remarriage is more common among men than women. According to the 2013 Census Bureau data, around 64% of the bridegrooms had been married before whereas 52% of brides had been previously married. A common perception is that women are less interested in tying the knot for a second time. This is substantiated by a 2014 survey where 54% women said they were disinclined towards remarrying as compared to only 30% of men who said so.
Increase in Interracial Marriage
In 2015 around 17% of marriages were interracial. In 1967 this figure was just 3%. So there has been a steady increase in interracial marriages over the years. While Asians and Hispanics are likely to intermarry the most, 29% and 27% respectively, the most significant increase in intermarriage have happened among the blacks. As compared to 5% of intermarriage among blacks in 1980 the figure rose to 11% in 2015.
Both, generation Z and Millennials advocate interracial marriage as a good thing the most, silent generation is the least supportive of intermarriage.
Apart from the above mentioned facts, it would be pertinent to note that support for legalising same sex marriage has been steadily growing in recent years, and the most vociferous supporters are the generation Z and the Millennials. Also, inter-religion marriages have shown a steady increase of late.