What could be putting young women off marriage? It really isn’t that much of a mystery | Naoise Dolan
Recent survey data reveals a significant shift in attitudes towards marriage among younger generations, particularly highlighting a growing divide between the aspirations of girls and boys. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, only 61% of high-school girls envision marriage in their future, compared to 74% of boys. This disparity underscores a broader cultural change, where traditional gender roles and expectations surrounding marriage are being challenged. The trend is not isolated to the United States; it mirrors a similar decline in marriage rates in England and Wales, where marriages have decreased by nearly 9% following a post-pandemic spike. In contrast, civil partnerships have seen a rise of almost the same percentage, indicating a potential shift in how couples choose to formalize their relationships.
The Vatican has responded to these changing dynamics by reaffirming the value of marriage through a 40-page doctrinal note titled “Una Caro” (One Flesh), which emphasizes the importance of monogamy and exclusive unions. However, the source of this guidance may raise eyebrows, as many might question the relevance of celibate clergy in offering relationship advice. The changing attitudes towards marriage among young women could be contributing to a growing genre of opinion pieces where men express frustration over the dating landscape, often attributing their challenges to women’s evolving priorities. This phenomenon suggests that as societal norms shift, so too do the expectations and desires of both genders, leading to a re-examination of what relationships and commitment mean in contemporary society.
These developments invite a deeper conversation about the future of marriage and partnerships. As young women increasingly prioritize personal aspirations and independence over traditional marital goals, it raises questions about the evolving definitions of commitment and partnership. The decline in marriage rates, coupled with the rise in alternative forms of unions, reflects a society in transition, where love and companionship may take on new forms that diverge from historical norms. As we navigate these changes, it becomes essential to consider the implications for relationships, family structures, and societal expectations moving forward.
Survey data suggests more and more girls can’t imagine getting married, while their male counterparts are keener. That disparity holds a clue
According to recent data, marriages in England and Wales are
down by nearly 9%
after a post-pandemic spike, while civil partnerships have risen by almost the same percentage. This downward trend is also reflected
in the US
. The Vatican has piped up in defence of the institution, releasing
a 40-page doctrinal note
, Una Caro (One Flesh): In Praise of Monogamy: Doctrinal Note on the Value of Marriage as an Exclusive Union and Mutual Belonging. Sworn celibates would not be my personal first port of call when seeking relationship advice, but to each their own – exclusively and indissolubly, if the Catholic church is to be believed.
Among the younger crowd, gendered expectations about marriage are changing, at least according to
a survey
by the University of Michigan, which found that only 61% of high-school girls want to be married one day, compared to 74% of the boys. Perhaps this is behind the burgeoning genre of opinion pieces in which a rightwing man complains
that women don’t want to date him
. Often enough, he is an avowed libertarian, leaving it a mystery why he does not simply accept the workings of the free market.
Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer and the author of
Exciting Times
and
The Happy Couple
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