Marriage in America continues to take a hit.
Not only are less people getting married, but fewer couples staying together forever feel it’s necessary.
And now, Gallup reports that fewer adults feel that couples with children should marry.
In its latest survey, fewer adults than ever said marriage is “very important” when children are involved. The polling outfit found that 29% said marriage is critical among parents with children, down from 49% in 2006.
Add in those who believe marriage is “somewhat important,” and the pro-marriage numbers hit 60%, but that leaves 40% who believe it’s not important.
Take children out of the equation and support for marriage isn’t any better. Gallup asked adults if committed couples should marry, and just 38% said it was very important.
Still, 81% of those not married said they want to get married.
Is that a disconnect? Maybe not, said Gallup. “While the marriage rate is declining, the desire of those who have never been married to get married someday remains high, with more than eight in 10 singles hoping to marry. Thus, their evolving attitudes about marriage may reflect increasing acceptance for how others lead their lives rather than a profound shift in their own lifestyle preferences,” said the survey analysis.
