Relationships What The Ideal Marriage Looks Like Now Marriage rates are at an all time low, so why are people still walking down the aisle? FW writer Kate Leaver speaks to ten people about their romantic choices and what life they hope to have after the ceremony - if they choose to have one. By Kate Leaver Relationships Marriage rates are at an all time low, so why are people still walking down the aisle? FW writer Kate Leaver speaks to ten people about their romantic choices and what life they hope to have after the ceremony - if they choose to have one. By Kate Leaver Previous article The Realities Of Fertility With Dr Raewyn Teirney Next article Members On Their Way: Giselle Finnane Marriage is an act of hope. It’s knowing what broken love feels like, and risking it anyway. It’s knowing that the worldwide divorce rate is 41 per cent (50 per cent in America, 42 per cent in the UK, a third in Australia) and still choosing to walk down that aisle. It’s knowing that a legally binding contract cannot protect you from failure and wishing, desperately, that you’re exempt all the same.Fewer people are getting married than ever before and those who are, are doing it later in their lives. It may feel like there’s a new wedding hashtag on your Instagram every week, but actually, marriage is at an all-time low across the world. In America, for example, only 29 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 were married in 2018, compared to 59 per cent in 1978. Millennials are three times less likely to get married than their grandparents were. According to the Pew Research Centre, they either don’t feel like they’re financially ready to tie the knot, haven’t found someone with the right qualities or feel like they’re just too young to settle down. We’re seeing a shift in values, as people choose to focus on their careers, have a family or validate their commitment to their beloved in a less legally binding way. Til Death Do Us Part is a series on the evolving state of marriage in today’s society. tildeathdouspart Best Of Future Women Culture “Never an excuse”: Why Katrina still can’t stand the smell of bourbon By Sally Spicer Culture Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends By Sally Spicer Culture “Invisible victims”: Why Conor was forced to live in an unsafe home By Sally Spicer Culture Miranda*’s mothers group helped her escape abuse. Then the stalking began By Sally Spicer Culture “We can’t change this on our own” By Melanie Dimmitt Culture “Marching forward means ensuring all our voices are heard” By Melanie Dimmitt Culture Dr Ann O’Neill’s husband committed “the ultimate act of revenge” By Sally Spicer Culture The question victim-survivors like me are tired of being asked By Geraldine Bilston Your inbox just got smarter If you’re not a member, sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Future Women in your inbox.
