Up here, with the people my son’s age (34) it’s a major issue.
Careers (especially females) are more important. For a young man to find a reasonably normal spouse is very difficult. For a young woman, to find a man who wants to take on the responsibility and provide and protect, almost impossible. Lots of mentally unstable young people, lots of out-of-wedlock kids, lots of chasing after material things first.
Add to that, if you do find someone, good luck buying a home. It’s even more difficult to rent something decent. If you’re forced to rent, you’ll never save enough for a home. Right now you need a down payment of the same amount that a home used to cost. Men up here feel completely demoralized, and for good reason.
Unfortunately you are correct and right on the money. I am already beyond that stage in my life but if I be younger with the state of the economy and the world situation what it is I would give it a second thought before starting a family. Before long starting a family may become the privilege of a few with sufficient means.
Pushes my buttons when I hear this. I bought my first house when I was a teen, single. It was a FSBO in a good neighborhood and I paid it off in a few years with no help from anyone. It wasn't 50 years ago, more like 10. It wasn't Pac Heights or the Upper East Side, but it wasn't the hind end of Buffalo either. There are plenty of places in the US where you can find an affordable home.