The purpose of this essay is to examine the decline in marriages and its connection to social attitudes. The study will consider how changing opinions, media, and religion affect people’s views on marriage. Since the 1970s, there has been a gradual decrease in marriages. One potential reason for this trend could be that modern individuals prefer intimate wedding ceremonies instead of traditional white church weddings.
Changes in people’s perceptions of weddings have led to a shift away from traditional church ceremonies. Over 50% of weddings now occur outside of religious institutions, with many couples opting for civil marriages instead. For example, in 1996, over 15,000 couples chose non-religious venues like stately homes, castles, and hotels for their wedding ceremony. This trend can be attributed to a gradual detachment from religion among newer generations, resulting in a diminished importance placed on marriage. Additionally, Catholic weddings specifically can become burdensome for families and cause additional hassle.
Postponing marriage until they can afford it has become a common choice for couples due to the increasing cost of weddings. Furthermore, the decline in religious observance has contributed to the rising popularity of cohabitation, where unmarried couples choose to live together. Cohabitation offers convenience and is becoming an increasingly favored option over marriage.
Previously, cohabitation was deemed unacceptable and branded as ‘living in sin’, leading to the marginalization and mistreatment of children born to unmarried couples. However, opinions changed as an increasing number of single women opted for shared living arrangements.
Over time, the view of cohabitation has changed. In the mid-1960s, only 5% of single women opted to live with a man before getting married. However, by the 1990s, about 70% of single women chose cohabitation. Despite many instances of separation in cohabitations, it is now considered both a precursor to marriage and an alternative to traditional marriage.
The increasing popularity of trial relationships in Britain can be attributed to their affordability and convenience compared to marriage. Additionally, these relationships offer an easier exit strategy than going through the process of divorce. This trend involves couples cohabitating to evaluate if a long-term commitment is sustainable.
Cohabitation takes on different forms. One form often leads to marriage, while another involves a legally married couple who opts not to exchange vows but instead makes private promises. Cohabitation is generally seen in a more favorable light compared to marriage because the media frequently presents marriage in a negative way, thus deterring individuals from pursuing it.
Due to the rising divorce rates, more people are choosing cohabitation as a less stressful alternative. Moreover, the presence of domestic violence deters individuals from entering into marriage.
The Office for National Statistics reports a rise in cohabitation and a decrease in marriage rates. Although fewer individuals opt for marriage, more couples choose to live together. It is worth noting that many cohabiting partnerships eventually result in marriage, indicating that the decline in marriages might be due to couples taking more time to consider and delay getting married. This shift could be influenced by women gaining independence and realizing they no longer depend on male support.
As women excel academically and pursue higher education, their priorities shift away from marriage and financial dependence. The increase in job prospects has made women more conscious of the exploitation they experience within conventional nuclear families. Instead of conforming to the stereotype of being a housewife, women are actively participating in society and liberating themselves from societal stigmas.
Feminists today prioritize their ambitions and attaining higher positions rather than solely committing to one man. However, there has been a delay in marriage, with over 20% of women already living together with a partner before the age of 25, a significant increase from the 1% reported in the 1970s. Moreover, fewer marriages are happening as more children are being born to unmarried mothers who do not plan on getting married again.
Around 33% of babies are born to parents who are not married, and out of these births, 40% involve parents who do not live together. A significant number of these mothers are young and may lack the resources to live on their own or with the father. The growing availability of single parenting has led to more people choosing this option.
As the popularity of marriage decreases, more couples are opting to live together without getting married. This choice is often perceived negatively by society, but it is seen as a wise decision that enables individuals to save money, pursue education, and attain emotional stability. Cohabitation is favored by the general public due to its convenience and affordability. Despite government encouragement for marriage, couples prefer to assess their relationship before making such a commitment.
