Posted on 10/12/2017 8:10:39 PM PDT by BJ1
The number of Americans living with a spouse or partner has fallen notably in the last decade, driven in part by decisions to delay marriage in the wake of a recession that hit new entrants into the workforce especially hard.
Forty-two percent of Americans live without a spouse or partner, up from 39 percent in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures. For those under the age of 35 years old, 61 percent live without a spouse or partner, up 5 percentage points from a decade ago.
The higher number of spouseless households comes as the marriage rate declines precipitously. Just half of American adults are married, down from 72 percent in 1960.
The average American woman gets married just after her 27th birthday, while the average man waits until he is 29.5 years old to marry — significantly higher than the median ages half a century ago.
“The median age of first marriage has gone up significantly over the past several decades,” said Kim Parker, who directs research on social trends at the Pew Research Center. “But it’s not all about delayed marriage. The share of Americans who have never married has been rising steadily in recent decades. So, part of it is a move away from marriage.”
Pew researchers said the rise in those households without a partner or spouse is not a sign that more marriages are breaking up; the divorce rate has been stable, or even declining, since the 1980s.
Instead, analysts said, the decline in both marriage and partnerships is likely a result of the declining ability of men to earn a salary large enough to sustain a family.
“All signs point to the growing fragility of the male wage earner,” said Cheryl Russell, a demographer and editorial director at the New Strategist Press. “The demographic segments most likely to be living without a partner are the ones in which men are struggling the most — young adults, the less educated, Hispanics, and blacks.”
If a woman keeps her weight down she can have 3 ‘boy toys’ in retirement. I certainly don’t hate women but I enjoy making fun of them. My last boss: she had to sneak up on a glass of water.
I hear you about conflicting info. I’ll add a little more that is relevant to marriage and stats. What is the real divorce rate? You hear 50% most often right? This lady has an interesting story. I heard her being interviewed on the radio. She told one of her assistants to source that 50% stat. It couldn’t be found. Much research ensued and she has a book about the real divorce rate.
https://shaunti.com/tb-books/good-news-marriage/
She says the divorce rate was never 50%, only projected to be so. And is probably around 30%, but exact stats are hard to come by she says. Yet another conflicting stat for you sir.
Kids can be adopted and grandkids would follow. Why would a man expose himself to the women, and the hazards they offer, that are out there today?
Marry a much younger woman. Why marry someone with a lifetime of bitterness about men?
Well, one of my sons is very happily married, other looking.
I don’t think adopting a child sans a wife is the same thing as having a wife and kids...
Not saying you couldn’t but I have heard it isn’t that easy and it is very expensive...but yeah, I guess you could adopt a child if you were that fearful of a wife...for happily married one of the blessings of marriage...for pleasure and procreation...not same as FWB.
There are good women out there, must choose wisely.
We older people know good and well that our nation is far more corrupt, vice-ridden and thieving in many ways than it was long ago.
It may that you need to look at this from a different perspective. It is the relationship that makes the marriage—young or old. If you haven’t met the right person then you shouldn’t be married. But if you do—even late in life—be ready to go for it. And if you don’t—alone is the right answer.
Happily married here. I married the right woman for the right reasons and have not regretted it. We have quite a few children, all self-supporting or in college majors that lead to good, reliable, productive jobs. The two of us still enjoy our time together. While I laugh at some marriage jokes and most mother-in-law jokes, in real life marriage was one of the best decisions I ever made.
I’ll remember that the next time I read a “where have all the good men gone” or an article celebrating old women going to Africa for sex tourism or an article lamenting being pumped-and-dumped.
(I’ve been married over 30 years, and I’ve worked in offices of mostly women. I’ve been able to watch the rise of the utterly-self-absorbed, privileged-yet-perpetually-offended woman, in real time.)
>>>(I’ve been married over 30 years, and I’ve worked in offices of mostly women. I’ve been able to watch the rise of the utterly-self-absorbed, privileged-yet-perpetually-offended woman, in real time.)<<<
My observation is that feminism/the sexual revolution is a two-way street. No doubt marriage from the man’s side has declined imo. Fewer good women while the risks of a bad marriage are high.
But feminism has allowed some men to enjoy themselves in a selfish way. Men can use dating apps for quick and easy sex. That’s if they can’t find it easy enough in real life. If they do settle down, they don’t have to be burden to pay the bills. My meaning on that is simple. Look at any nice neighborhood that is in a metro area. Odds are that homes are priced too high for the typical guy to purchase on just his income. But one of the “perks” for men nowadays is that the wife usually brings home a paycheck too.
That paycheck is important to some guys. They won’t marry down because it’s that important to them.
While I think finding a good wife is extremely difficult, I would also say that finding a good man to marry for a woman is also much more difficult than in years past. I don’t think women are put off on marriage the way men are bc the family court favors them at the expense of a man. The whole “best interests of the child” dovetails almost always with the woman’s wishes.
But regardless if you’re a man or woman, finding a decent person to live a life with appears more difficult now than ever before in our country.
“But one of the “perks” for men nowadays is that the wife usually brings home a paycheck too. That paycheck is important to some guys.”
That’s true; boys’ toys are expensive. That extra paycheck is very important.
Most men love the results of feminism, especially if they’re under 55 or 60, even if they don’t realize it. They believe that it’s normal for all women to work, when it used to be normal for men to provide for the family. I remember when a husband was shamed if his wife had a job outside of the home.
My BIL was shocked when my female cousin said that she’d “never had a job”. Well... she had been a stay-at-home mom forever, but hadn’t worked outside the home. He looks at her as if she’s a slacker.
When were men shamed if their wife worked outside the home? I’m 47 and never saw this once.
“I’m 47 and never saw this once.”
You didn’t experience the ‘50s; I did.
“I’m 47 and never saw this once.”
Of course you haven’t,you’re only 47.
Ask a man who’s 87.
.
>>>
Of course you haven’t,you’re only 47.
Ask a man who’s 87.<<<
Fair enough. Why did you mess up a good thing? I’m only half joking.
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