CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS 1

Line of Inquiry Essay

Changes in Marriage Trends

Andrew Persinger

James Madison University

CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
2

Abstract

My research question discusses the changing trends of marriage and the socioeconomic

connotations of the changing trends. I chose to research to this topic because I have begun

thinking about my future and the potential of marriage. My peers are also beginning to think

about the plausibility of marriage in their future. Traditionally the traditional marriage institution

has shaped the way that society has functioned. The decline of marriage rates requires my

generation to reevaluate if the traditional marriage structure is conducive and beneficial for them.

Promoting marriage was thought to be one of the leading strategies in combating poverty but

recent statistics suggest that marriage, is not only helping poverty at a high enough rate but could

potentially promote poverty.

Keywords: Marriage, Divorce, Cohabitation

CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
3

This year we’ve entered a new national administration which was met with extreme

criticism from the public. There is a heightened level of public vigilance after making progressive

change in the previous administration. The increasingly obsolete institution of marriage has social,

political, and economic ramifications on society. With the increasing trend of women in the work

force as well as the closing of the gender wage gap, women are more likely to marry later or not

at all. In an evolving social society, individuals are recognizing that marriage isn’t compatible for

everyone. It is important that my generation explores the benefits and costs that come with

alternative lifestyle arrangements besides traditional marriage as well as recognize that a fulfilled

life is increasingly thought of to be achieved without marriage.

The first source was written by Jay Zagorsky titles “Is marriage becoming Obsolete?” in

June 2016. This source showcases trends that show that the traditional marriage institution is

becoming increasingly obsolete. Zagorsky (2016) found “a drop of almost half-a-million

marriages a year since the early 1980s peak” (pg.1). The source is directed to people considering

marriage or already married. It explains some of the sociology about how the benefits of the

institution may be changing. The source has a strong focus on the rise of cohabitation. People

have been deciding to cohabitate with others into late adulthood now more than ever. Individuals

either use this as a pre-cursor to marriage or use this to structure their adult life permanently. The

American public is far more tolerant of cohabitation, same-sex marriage, single parenthood,

unions between people of different races and ethnicities and an individual's choice not to marry.

The source presents statistics that clearly show that marriage rates have been declining even with

the legalization of gay marriage. The article also goes deeper into some of the specific factors

that have caused the decline. These factors include but are not limited to, religious adherence,

technology prevalence, as well as the increasing income and education of women. The first
CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
4

source is very strong in statistics being used to back up their assertions. For example, it

thoroughly explained the process which led to the rise of cohabitation. It presented new

information that showed that marriage is not necessarily falling because of public policy. If

anything, it has been the opposite. Public policy has been supporting marriage through increased

tax incentives and the legalization of gay marriage. There is not a lot of explanation about their

ideas of what the future holds for the institution of marriage. The researchers found it difficult to

predict how drastic the decline will become as new factors related to individualism and self-

sufficiency

The second source is an article titled “The Marriage Crisis” by AJA Gabel, published in

2013. The purpose of this source is to explain why marriage is decreasing over the last 50 years,

and what trends might make it decrease at a much faster rate. This article talks about how society

is becoming more geared towards individualism which in turn makes the institution more

obsolete. This article explains the idea that marriage is decreasing because factors in society

make individual prosperity and sustainability easier to achieve. Gabel (2013) finds that

“marriage has changed because the relationship between the sexes has changed (pg.1). Women

are breaking gender roles which has made them more independent than ever. They are also

beginning to fulfill roles of power and importance at a higher rate than before. Some studies

suggest that birth control is more readily available which makes marriage due to pregnancy less

prevalent. The source explains the job market and economy in a critical way. The article

discusses women in employment as well as advancement in detail. I discovered that the trend of

decreasing marriage rates are shown in early indicators such as divorce, poverty rates, and free

market stimulation. The article is written under the belief that marriage is still the ideal lifestyle

for people especially those who have graduated college. This source differs with the first source
CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
5

in its belief that marriage rates fell due to people more focused on love instead of the benefits of

the institution. The article also states that due to women’s economic advancement that marriage

is less necessary for economic survival. Marriage has also changed due to the relationship of the

sexes. Gender roles changing is another factor talked about in source one that perpetuates

inconsistencies in the perception of traditional marriage. The weaknesses involved with this

source relate to its failure of including supporting statistics for its assertions about the gender

wage gap.

The third source is an article titled, Marriage is Obsolete, published in 2013 by Jane

Fullerton Lemons. The source describes the sharp decline in marriage and offers explanations for

the inconsistencies that are seen in the historical institution of marriage versus the present-day

reality. The new marriage trend is increasingly aligned with the growing income gap. The article

places the cause of the declining marriage trend to various socioeconomic factors. The gap is

affected by the evolving definition of family and the resilience of families. Group differences

and the ambivalence of the general public also affect marriage rates. The rise of cohabitation and

the current national political administration affect marriage rates as well. I chose this source

because it introduces factors that explain the trend that a lot of other research does not include.

Statistically any type of change to any of the parties involved can directly affect the outcome.

Also, the Pew Research Center is one of the most accredited and respected research groups in the

country. The first source supports their findings involving cohabitation and the trend of less

advantaged groups being more likely to begin a marriage. Lemons also cites technology as a

major factor in the decrease of marriage. Fullerton (2013) finds that “contraception and internet

dating have made sex more accessible” (pg. 3). This has made it easier for individuals to easily

satisfy their physical needs without the traditional commitment of marriage. Fullerton also cites
CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
6

development in fertility technology as a means of starting parenthood without being in a

marriage or at a later age.

I found that the traditional institution of marriage has been valuable to our society and

economy for a lot of our nation’s history. However, with changing socioeconomic factors, the

institution of marriage is compatible with less people in the United States today. The benefits

associated with marriage are not substantial enough to give up the economical advantage of

personal sustainability. Meeting life partners that are suitable for marriage has also become

increasingly difficult due to factors like a decline in young generations communication skills as

well as the rise of online dating. While our society becomes more intrinsically concerned with

self-sustainability, we will continue to see marriage rates fall and a rise in alternative living

arrangements.
CHANGES IN MARRIAGE TRENDS
7

References

Gabel, A. (2013). The Marriage Crisis. VIRGINIA. doi:summer features

Lemons, J. (2017, December 1). Future of marriage. CQ researcher, 27, 993-1016. Retrieved

from http://library.cqpress.com/

Wang, W. (2013, July 10). For young adults, the ideal marriage meets reality. Retrieved March

26, 2018, from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/07/10/for-young-adults-the-

ideal-marriage-meets-reality/