Recent statistics show that the majority of Americans are now single, which has significant implications for society and the family structure
From ‘I Do’ to ‘I Don’t’: Economic Shifts Behind The Majority of Americans Are Now Single
As many of you who follow my blog know, I am a self-proclaimed statistic geek. Or maybe my wife gets credit for dubbing me with that title. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reviewing the statistics as it relates to my divorce law practice.
For generations, most Americans have believed they will fall in love, get married, and raise children together. However, over the past 50 years, studies and statistics show us that is changing. The days of the nuclear family, a woman, man, and children, are no longer the norm. The most current Census Bureau report on marital status found that 49% of Americans are married, while 51% are single. Being single is defined as being separated, divorced, widowed, or never married. The percentage of single people is never married 67%, separated 3%, divorced 19%, and widowed 11%.
It is interesting to look at the age groups to see whether they have been married or remained single. Back in 1956, the median age for women getting married was 20.1 years, and for men, it was 22.5 years. However, according to statistics in 2023, the median age of marriage for women was 28.4, and for men, it was 30.2. Just comparing those statistics, young adults now have about 8 more years of single life compared to young adults in 1956.
Single and Thriving: Why Americans are Now Single
Looking at the statistics for 30-year-olds, about half of 30-year-old people have never married. In 2023, the Census Bureau reports that the median age for males getting married was 30.2, slightly older than 30. However, the median age for first-time marriages for women was a little younger, 28.4. When reviewing the statistics for 40-year-olds, 2023 data shows that a quarter of adults (26%) aged 35 to 44 have never married. For women in this age group, it was about 22%, with men being higher at 29%.
In 1967, The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 7.8% or 9 million adults 18 and older living in the U.S. were single. In 2023, that number drastically jumped. According to the bureau, more than 38 million adults living in the U.S. live alone. Although this number seems high, it is less than the actual number of single people living alone as it doesn’t necessarily include people who are married yet living apart from their spouse.
Love in the Time of Independence: Emotional Reasons Why Americans are Now Single
Even though one might be counted as a single, it doesn’t mean they are not willing to commit to another person. It doesn’t mean necessarily that they chose not to live with someone else; it is just that they are likely opting to cohabitate as opposed to get married. According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, marriage rates declined by about 60%. Getting married is no longer viewed as a rite of passage.
In an article in Newsweek, Stephanie Kaplan Lewis of Boston, Mass, who is co-founder and CEO of Her Campus Media, stated, “Older generations may have felt drawn to marriage out of necessity or obligated based on societal pressures which also led to high divorce rates, but Gen Z sees things differently. For them, there is renewed hope in committing to a partner and having a built-in support system.”
Economic Factors Contributing to America’s Single Status
Other factors which are attributed to plummeting marriage rates are the high cost of a wedding, more women entering the workforce and wanting to postpone having children, and the desire for young adults to focus on their career rather than on raising a family. Emotional fears of getting married play into the reluctance of Gen Z committing to marriage. Many millennials are children of divorce and don’t want to repeat the same mistakes their parents did.
Caitlin Opland, who is a licensed clinical social worker with Thriveworks in Littleton, Colorado, believes there is a lot of fear she sees in her Gen Z clients. Opland says, “I hear a lot of fear that is based on the decision to get married right now. This fear usually centers around their lack of trust, trauma from watching their parents’ marriages, and the costs around actually getting married. Gen Z typically wants to build their life and ensure stability, while the other generations have been shown to want support, community, and milestone achievements first.”
Stan Tatkin, best-selling author of Wired For Love, researcher, and therapist agrees that emotional factors are a big part of the current generation to hold back from marriage, but he also believes economics play a big factor. He says, “We’re seeing that Gen Z’ers want to get married, but housing and having money to buy a house are difficult factors that come into play for young people. Also, notably they don’t judge if you are single. That’s acceptable. That’s a contrast to attitudes of other age groups, such as Boomers.”
Single in the U.S.: The Emotional and Psychological Reasons
In 1970, it was much more common to find a nuclear family home as opposed to a single-person home. At that time, 17% of homes were single people living alone, and 40% of homes were comprised of nuclear homes. Now, those statistics have flip-flopped. People living as a single account for 30%, and married parents with children account for 18%.
From reviewing the statistics as reported by the Census Bureau, it seems that we are transitioning from a nation comprised of mostly married people to one in which being single puts you in the majority. The majority of Americans are now single, a significant shift from past decades.
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Attorney Robert “Chip” Mues has been focusing his legal practice throughout Southwest Ohio primarily in divorce and family law matters since 1978. Chip is passionate about family law and has proudly published the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2007. In addition, he is the managing partner of Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues. To learn more about him or the law firm, visit the firm’s website at www.hcmmlaw.com. Appointments are available in person, over the phone or by Zoom. Call us at 937 293-2141.