This is a US census. I'd like to read more of Europe, Oz, etc. It seems like marriage in the West, for many / most but not all, has become a legal agreement. On the radio here in the US there is a steady advertisement by a law firm for divorce. "Call 1-800 divorce!" Divorce rate is still just above 50% in the US. I know quite a few couples that live together long term w/out getting the marriage license now.
Your experiences, thoughts and opinions? What your take on the West compared to Thailand/Asia on this?
Census: Marriage rate at 93-year low, even including same-sex couples
BY PAUL BEDARD | SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 |
AP PhotoThe Census Bureau reported Thursday that the nation’s marriage rate is the lowest since 1920, and the first-time inclusion of same sex married couples did little to reverse the decline.
According to Pew Research Center analysis, the marriage rate of Americans 18 and older hit a bottom of 50.3 percent in 2013, down from 50.5 percent in 2012. In 1920, the first year mentioned, 65 percent were married, and the marriage rate hit a high of 72.2 percent in 1960.
The new data did not put a number on the homes hosting same-sex married couples, though the Census last year estimated there were 182,000 households headed by gay couples.
While a big number, Pew noted that it compares with 56 million “headed by opposite-sex married couples,” and that such a small percentage won’t have a big impact on the overall marriage rate.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted atpbedard@washingtonexaminer.com.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/census...rticle/2553600
Census: Marriage rate at 93-year low, even including same-sex couples | WashingtonExaminer.com