Marriage. Is it "passe?"

1. 60

   qwarkposted 14 years ago

   The numbers of marriages in the USA is decreasing.
   Why?

   replyreport
   1. 69

      onegoodwomanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Disposable society.
      
      
      
      Our laws, and our service industries ( nursing homes), ( adult day care) , ( $ 100.00 divorces) and such have all but eliminated our loyalty and sense of responibility.
      
      
      This is not good.
      
      If I divorce my husband, and then a 2nd and 3rd husband,  WHAT have I taught my daughters about marriage, loyalty, trust, committment and steadfastness?
      
      Not but one thing, .....they are meaningless.  Cut and run is the new game.
      
      
      Marriage is not a game.  If you , for whatever reason, do not want to get married, that should be "ok".  It is allowed.  Abusing the trust of an oath, a vow or another's dream, or heart should never be.

      replyreport
   2. 60

      ediggityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Because pretentiousness and selfishness is increasing.

      replyreport
   3. 51

      blondie1956posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      maybe we're all caught up in working hard and material things that we just dont have the time or energy to pay enough attention to our spouces. Being married is the hardest thing a person will ever do but in the end, its worth it. Im not interested in dying all alone. Im not interested in eating out, going to movies or traveling alone. I have worked hard all my live and havent made time for "girl friends". I want my time to be spent with my husband. But apparently I was a failure at this because he is no longer happy in our marriage. We are starting counselng this week. I pray it helps. I dont want to loose my best friend.

      replyreport
   4. 60

      speedbirdposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Many marriages are failing today because husbands believe their efforts are not being appreciated and women think they didn't get a good deal when they married.

      replyreport
2. 62

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

   ...don't know...economy? aging population factored in? what do the divorce rates look like - probably sky high...
   
   religious beliefs/non may not be a factor either - in Canada in our province of Quebec...many people choose to live together and not get married...the province has a very deep and long history of religion - lots of Catholics...however many people under say 50 something have chosen not to ever marry...it's just a trend that took place there with some of our french canadians.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      ...are women becoming more powerful? Able to compete with males and make it on their own? In past, in the 19th and 20th century, a womans place was in the home. The man was the provider. Today, because of the economy, many women have become independant of men and don't really need them except for physical satisfaction. Is this becoming a trend in more modern cultures/societies?
      When I use the term "marriage' I refer to it in the "legal" sense.

      replyreport
3. 60

   qwarkposted 14 years ago

   No takers on this one?
   Are we "evolving" away from legal bonding and progressing into a state of gender independance?

   replyreport
4. 77

   Internetwriter62posted 14 years ago

   Marriage is not passe, and people will become more and more disillusioned if we keep breaking God's rules. There was once a time when people believed in commitment and basked in the security of knowing someone would be there for them. I believe in marriage, yes there are still a few of us out there that still do.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Internetwriter:
      Yes, fewer and fewer..:-)

      replyreport
   2. 60

      Judicastroposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm with you Internet writer, I am a firm believer in marriage and family.

      replyreport
5. 62

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

   ..i guess it depends on where you live...large city, small city, etc.....there tends not to be some the same social pressures for a single person in a larger centre; not as noticed and lots of single folk.
   
   I know more married people than I do single...but i was married for a long time, maybe that's why i don't really notice any decline around marriage (when you say legal then I've included couples living together as well)
   
   I don't really think that most people necessarily want to be single....that gender independence thing you mention..what's the birthrate like...is it also down...
   
   and then there are the people that have been burned...probably don't want to bother again and that's okay.....maybe there is a direct relation around the divorce rates and those that remarry/or not.  I have a handful of female acquaintenances that never remarried and just focused on raising kids....kids are leaving/gone but those women are so used to doing everything on their own and supporting themselves now, they aren't really looking around for a partner and are quite content with being single; they don't bother dating either.

   replyreport
6. 59

   Rajab Nsubugaposted 14 years ago

   I want to differ and think that it is a matter of choice.In the medieval times man only thought that he could only live on bread. We have come to liberalize our social lives much as we have with our economic life. The feminist movements have not only elevated the woman in office but they have also "liberalized" her mind-set. With all due respect to the marriage institution, however, it was sexist in making. By "tying" a one life partner, marriage over-looked a human aspect of ego. Man has always demanded for more and will always demand for more. It is institutions such as marriage that put religion to question.

   replyreport
7. 60

   Devanniposted 14 years ago

   There are so many possible contributors it's mind-blowing.  I'm sure everything mentioned so far is a contributor.  I'd be interested to see where you found this information originally, to satisfy my curiosity.
   If I wasn't late for something, I'd have something of actual substance to say.

   replyreport
8. 64

   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   why buy the cow when plenty of the heard are giving their milkshakes away for free?

   replyreport
9. 61

   Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

   When financially hard times hit, marriages usually decrease. Fear of not being able to commit to support. Plus I think people are really rethinking what marriage really is to them.

   replyreport
10. 0

    Home Girlposted 14 years ago

    If it is not a life but just a survival, it is easier to survive on your own. Sad though...

    replyreport