Recent data shows marriages in England and Wales have fallen by nearly 9% after a post-pandemic spike, while civil partnerships have risen by a similar margin. A University of Michigan survey found only 61% of high-school girls want to marry one day, compared to 74% of boys, suggesting a growing gender divide in attitudes towards the institution.
One factor may be the expectations some men still hold. Baronet Benjamin Slade, 79, seeking a wife, listed criteria including 'at least 20 years younger', 'good breeder', and 'taller than 5ft 6in and can't be a Scorpio', adding that the candidate must not read the Guardian newspaper. Such views may deter young women.
Another reason is the decline of committed relationships. YouGov data indicates half of 18- to 34-year-old Americans have been in a 'situationship' – a romantic relationship that is more than friendship but not yet a couple. These arrangements often leave one party uncertain about the future.
Some women object to marriage itself as a form of state coercion. Tax breaks and legal incentives favour traditional marriage over non-monogamy or communal living, leading critics to reject the institution. Others see marriage as a 'capstone' to adulthood, requiring financial stability and career security, which are increasingly hard to achieve.
During the Covid pandemic, many women saw caring responsibilities fall disproportionately on them, making the prospect of marriage and parenthood less appealing. The optimistic view is that fewer people are being forced into marriage, and only those who fully want to will enter it.
