Falling marriage rates signifies a cultural shift that hurts our children and economy

[Tennis]

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/andr...b-d8158c827ab2

Family stability and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. Sociologists writing in the Journal of Marriage and Family note that, “a lack of marriage and the growth in cohabitation, alongside the growing trend of single parenting, portends growth in family instability.” In World Family Map 2017, sociologists Brad Wilcox and Laurie DeRose report that American children in cohabiting families are 15 to 31 per cent more likely to experience a parental split by age 12 than children growing up in families with married parents (depending on their mother’s education level). The resulting instability may mean children have to move frequently, or adjust to a parent’s new partner living in the home. Stick-handling parents’ squabbles can become a time consuming hobby for the children of divorce.

Growing up in an intact married home increases the likelihood of children getting good grades and graduating from high school and college, even when accounting for socioeconomic factors. Having married parents is also correlated with a lower likelihood of children participating in risky behaviours, like drug abuse or early sexual initiation. Happily, many great kids from non-married parent homes become successful adults. But this doesn’t change the fact that adult relationship decisions affect children.

Many will counter that marriage isn’t all that stable. Don’t half of them end in divorce? Not quite. The most recent data on divorce suggests that the rate was closer to 38 per cent in 2008. Marriage isn’t perfect, it’s just a safer family form in which to raise children, and we know that healthy marriages have measurable, positive outcomes for adults. Numerous studies indicate that people in high-quality marriages tend to be at lower risk of suffering a heart attack, and better odds of surviving one. The happily married are also more likely to recover from illness, including cancer, and lead healthier lives.

This doesn’t mean marriage is a panacea for social problems. However, stable marriages are a public good. When marriages dissolve, there are emotional and financial implications for family members that can reverberate through the wider community. One estimate by Andrea Mrozek and researcher Rebecca Walberg suggests that the public cost of family breakdown is about $7 billion annually. That’s the equivalent of hosting the Vancouver winter Olympics every year.

The diminishing marriage numbers confirm a well-known cultural shift. When couples wed 40 years ago, they were typically starting out in life together. Marriage served as a foundation on which other experiences, such as careers, homeownership, and children rested. Today marriage is one option among many. On average, we marry later in life, often after living together first. More of us are having children or purchasing a home before tying the knot. The same trends are evident across the globe.

Even so, last year Nanos Research still found 78 per cent of Canadians view marriage as a positive aspect of family life. We just don’t seem to know how to get there.

Given that a healthy marriage contributes to family stability, there’s a need for recovery of the institution. Marriage has declined in Western countries for many economic and social reasons, making it difficult to reverse the trends. We know marriage tends to thrive in communities where couples’ relationships serve as a model for the next generation, and receives support from other institutions and networks. The more healthy marriages young Canadians see and experience, the better. And it would also help to make a deliberate and clear distinction between marriage and cohabitation in popular culture – maybe even in tax policy.

We should pay attention to family stability. We need to recognize the contribution that a healthy marriage culture makes to building thriving societies, so that we can work to reverse some of our failing family trends.

Came across this hard hitting article.

Fully agree. Dark times ahead if this continues. It's great to see that the vast majority view marriage positively but there is always room for improvement. We need to all do our part to ensure that our kids have the best chance to succeed.
@Mistame is your mind changed now?

[Mistame]

Why would it be? Marriage is the concern and business of a couple, only. The opinions of "sociologists" are irrelevant. The only difference between being married and not, outside of "tax breaks", is a piece of paper. Anyone that thinks that an antiquated ritual and legal binding somehow improves a relationship has no clue what they're talking about. Marriage is not required for a successful relationship, but a successful relationship is required for marriage. Also, how a relationship affects the "community" is irrelevant and being a husband or wife does not make one a better parent.

[noidentity]

"Our kids" *snorts*

[Sansasyon]

Half of the world is bastard already.

[Malmmoc]

"78% of Canadians view marriage as positive"

I would be very curious to see a large study on that broken down by age, and wording that makes it clear if it is a goal for them personally.

[Torto]

In these modern times, any man willing to get married is an imbecile. There is no upside whatsoever.

[Tennis]

In these modern times, any man willing to get married is an imbecile. There is no upside whatsoever.

How many world leaders aren't married?

[Elba]

In these modern times, any man willing to get married is an imbecile. There is no upside whatsoever.

Man, that's a super sad outlook. Don't project your forever alone onto others.

[Deleted]

This isn't anything new is it now? Moral decay and hedonism tend to do that.

[Torto]

How many world leaders aren't married?

Not sure I understand the point you are trying to make.

[Tennis]

Not sure I understand the point you are trying to make.

The most powerful people on the planet, are they married?

[Torto]

Man, that's a super sad outlook. Don't project your forever alone onto others.

I'm not projecting anything. And what benefits are bestowed onto people that those in say a defacto relationship or a civil union? How is being married better than having a girlfriend/boyfriend with benefits?

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The most powerful people on the planet, are they married?

I guess most of them are yes. And most of them are religious as well. And a good percentage would be right handed. Are you suggesting that in order to be powerful you must be married?

[Elba]

I'm not projecting anything. And what benefits are bestowed onto people that those in say a defacto relationship or a civil union? How is being married better than having a girlfriend/boyfriend with benefits?

Taxes. Medical decisions. Inheritance. Lots of legal shit.

Also, symbol of looooooooooooooooooove. You know luv? I'm asking cuz:

The boys you're quoting don't. Shapiro's icy heart is incapable of experiencing love and PJW has never felt the touch of a lover's hand. (That's why he always looks so sad).

[Mistame]

The most powerful people on the planet, are they married?

This is not relevant. Once again, you're trying to push the same retarded drivel. Being married does not make you more successful (or powerful).

[unfilteredJW]

The most powerful people on the planet, are they married?

That says more about the populace than it does about marriage.

But you knew that. Being disingenuous is your shtick.

[Video Games]

Well it is archaic, even if I like it.

[Nitros14]

How do you know the people more inclined to get married aren't inherently more stable people?

What does a piece of paper do to make you more stable?

[Jinpachi]

Why would it be? Marriage is the concern and business of a couple, only. The opinions of "sociologists" are irrelevant. The only difference between being married and not, outside of "tax breaks", is a piece of paper. Anyone that thinks that an antiquated ritual and legal binding somehow improves a relationship has no clue what they're talking about. Marriage is not required for a successful relationship, but a successful relationship is required for marriage. Also, how a relationship affects the "community" is irrelevant and being a husband or wife does not make one a better parent.

You're either too young or not yet educated enough to know there is far more to a marriage than the little list you put up there. Yes, marriage is required for a successful relationship. "You're good enough to shack up with, but not marry" is not the message men and women want to be sending to each other long term, nor is it what they want to impart subconsciously to their children.

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How do you know the people more inclined to get married aren't inherently more stable people?

What does a piece of paper do to make you more stable?

The paper is incidental. It's the act of making a public proclamation, the lifelong commitment, that is important. The economics of it are just icing on the cake.

[Torto]

Taxes. Medical decisions. Inheritance. Lots of legal shit.

Also, symbol of looooooooooooooooooove. You know luv? I'm asking cuz:

The boys you're quoting don't. Shapiro's icy heart is incapable of experiencing love and PJW has never felt the touch of a lover's hand. (That's why he always looks so sad).

Can't speak for elsewhere but in my country you only need to live with someone for a period of time to be considered in a defacto relationship and entitled to all that 'legal shit'.

Love is temporary and quickly morphs into familiarity and reliance.

I agree with PJW and Ben Shapiro's political views, I don't care about their married status.

[Nitros14]

You're either too young or not yet educated enough to know there is far more to a marriage than the little list you put up there. Yes, marriage is required for a successful relationship. "You're good enough to shack up with, but not marry" is not the message men and women want to be sending to each other long term, nor is it what they want to impart subconsciously to their children.

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The paper is incidental. It's the act of making a public proclamation, the lifelong commitment, that is important. The economics of it are just icing on the cake.

You might not be, but you sound American. Americans (and some Canadians, even less Europeans) have this weird cultural cult of marriage.