Study documents decline of marriage in US

November 19, 2010

A new study by the Pew Research Center documents the decline of marriage and the increasing acceptance of cohabitation in the United States.

The study finds that 39% of Americans believe marriage is becoming obsolete. Among the other key findings:

• in 2008, 52% of adults were married (vs. 72% in 1960)
• in 2008, 26% of adults in their 20s were married (vs. 68% in 1960)
• only 32% of Americans believe that premarital sex is wrong (vs. 68% in 1969)
• 63% of Americans believe that a same-sex couple with children is a family
• 60% of mothers with children under three are in the labor force (vs. 34% in 1975)
• 41% of babies born in 2008 were born to unmarried mothers (vs. 5% in 1960)
• 29% of children under 18 live with parents who are not married (vs. 6% in 1960).

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• The Decline of Marriage and Rise of New Families (Pew Research Center)
• Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete (AP)
• The First Vocation Crisis (Catholic World Report)