By Fiona Vitija
Over the past 30 years there has been a massive decline in the number of people getting marriage – what is the true reason for this?
The past three decades have seen an enormous shift in the way that society views marriage. Marriage hit a record low in 2018 with fewer young people feeling the need to tie the knot, as they no longer feel like it benefits them the way it did older generations.
The Office for National Statistics reported that the number of opposite-sex marriages had fallen by 47% since 1972. While same-sex marriages may be rising, the number is still too small to make a definitive difference in numbers.
More choices for the future
The ideal family dynamic within society is becoming more secularised, meaning that people feel like they have far more freedom when making choices for their future. Women now have far more options for themselves career wise, and would rather spend time building on that before getting married or even having children.
In addition, many grew up during the rise of divorce and seeing their parents go through that has led to many being put off by marriage.
Young people have become far more independent and, have started to push past expectations applied to them. Cohabitation has also risen the past few years as a result of marriage declining. The idea of marriage has become outdated, with many not wanting to spend the money or put pressure on themselves to get married for a ‘piece of paper’.
Marriage being less popular than long-term cohabitation shows that people are still establishing settled relationships but don’t feel the need for the formality and expense associated with marriage.
What do people think?
We questioned people between the ages of 18-25 to see what they felt about marriage, to understand why so many young people have become opposed to marriage.
Ninety-three people took a poll where they were asked whether they felt marriage was necessary to show “love and loyalty” to their partners.
The poll showed that 82% believed that marriage was not necessary to show these emotions, while only 18% felt it was necessary.
“It’s a waste of money! It costs thousands just for a wedding that lasts a couple of hours and, is far too expensive to change your last name just to show that you love someone,” said Carys Davies 22 from Swansea, Wales.
“I would rather spend that money towards a deposit for a house for both me and my partner or, a long honeymoon that we will enjoy far more.”
Just a “legal procedure”
Megan Vrioni 18, from Ealing Broadway, said: “I don’t think that marriage signifies anything to a relationship, except for it just being a legal procedure that binds you and your partner together.”
She continued by saying that she had seen many people in unmarried relationships unmarried whose relationship has flourished regardless of their marital status.
Others argued that they would love to get married and celebrate their love with family and friends.
“Marriage is a celebration of love and there’s nothing wrong with it. I personally feel like it’s a great way to gather all your loved ones together and, remember this amazing unionisation between two completely different families,” said Luca from Camden, north London.
“My religious background also affects my view, being from Italy I come from a very Catholic family so there’s also that factor that comes into my belief.”
Although marriage may be on the decline, long-term relationships still exist and flourish. Maybe it’s time we view this shift as a celebration of individuality, and praise people for it rather than question their reasoning behind it.
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