11 Interesting Charts About The Decline Of Marriage In America

By Abby Rogers

2011-10-14T17:47:00Z

shotgun wedding chart

People just aren't getting married like they used to.

Marriage has sharply declined over the past 50 years, from 68% of 20-somethings being wed in 1960 versus only 26% of the same age group in 2008, according to a 2010 study from the Pew Research Center.

The family is still staying strong though, it just looks a little different.

The research center worked with TIME Magazine to conduct the study, which also has analysis from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Income, education level and changing attitudes about the family and marriage as an institution have all contributed to the drop in marriage rates, the study found.

In 2008, just over half of people over the age of 18 were married, compared to nearly three-quarters of people in 1960.

marriage-rates — Marriage rates 1960-2008 Pew Research Center

Source: The Pew Research Center

39% percent of Americans have noticed the downfall of marriage. That's up from the 28% who agreed with the same question in 1978.

marriage-rates-decline — Americans' views about marriage Pew Research Center

Source: The Pew Research Center

With a change in views about marriage comes a change in views about sex. More Americans are OK with premarital sex than they were in 1969.

sex-views

Source: The Pew Research Center

Across the decades, higher levels of education have corresponded to higher marriage rates.

marriage-education — Marriage and education levels` Pew Research Center

Source: The Pew Research Center

Wives have also entered the work force. Nearly twice as many wives worked in 2008 than they did in 1960.

working-moms-views

Source: The Pew Research Center

However, a change in marriage trends might not be a bad thing.

changing-families — Family types are changing Pew Research Center

Source: The Pew Research Center

Americans are increasingly accepting of non-traditional families, with 80% saying an unmarried couple with children is considered a family.

changing-family-views

Source: The Pew Research Center

As views change, so does society. In 2008, 41% of births were to unmarried women, compared to 5% in 1960.

single-mom-births

Source: The Pew Research Center

But opinions haven't changed entirely. Nearly 70% of respondents said it was bad for more single women to have kids.

single-mother-rates — Single mother rates Pew Research Center

Source: The Pew Research Center

And 43% said it was a bad thing for gay and lesbian couples to raise children.

changing-society-views

Source: The Pew Research Center

But not everyone is a pessimist. 67% were optimistic about the institutions of marriage and family, while only half felt the same way about the U.S. education system.

family-views

Source: The Pew Research Center

If you're still thinking about marriage, the proposal is a pretty important step

engagement

Check out these surprising facts you need to know before getting down on one knee >

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