Young Women are Losing Interest in Marriage, New Data Shows
Young Women are Losing Interest in Marriage, New Data Shows
A growing number of young women in the United States are showing less interest in getting married, marking a sharp cultural shift from previous generations. Decades ago, many teenage girls imagined their future weddings while flipping through magazines filled with bridal gowns and romantic themes. Today, many are pushing those dreams aside. Their focus has shifted toward education, financial independence, and career ambitions.
A Pew Research Center analysis of the University of Michigan’s 2023 survey highlights how much attitudes have changed. Only 67 percent of U.S. 12th graders said they want to get married someday. In 1993, that number stood at 80 percent. Even more concerning for some observers, just 51 percent of seniors believe they will remain married to one partner for life.
Interest in parenthood is also declining. Only 48 percent of high school seniors said they want to have children in the future, reflecting broader social and economic pressures shaping young adults’ long-term plans.
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One of the most striking findings is the reversal in gender trends. Boys are now more likely to say they want to get married than girls. According to the survey, 74 percent of boys expressed interest in marriage, compared with only 61 percent of girls. This marks a dramatic shift from 1993, when 83 percent of girls said they hoped to marry someday, compared with 76 percent of boys.
Experts say the change reflects evolving priorities among young women, who increasingly view marriage as optional rather than essential. Rising expectations for financial stability, concerns about divorce, and greater emphasis on self-development have influenced this generation’s outlook.
The data suggests that traditional ideas about marriage and family continue to lose ground, especially among young women who are re-imagining what adulthood should look like in the 21st century.
Content Credit: Moyosola Oni
Image Credit: Google .Com
