Marriage and Millennials
Marriage is not on the agenda of life milestones for several millennials. The older generations regard them as entitled and lazy, avoiding the traditional way of life that their parents followed. As a result of their slower progression through life achievements, millennials have been chastised. The older generations claim that marriage is the only suitable way to adulthood. They are oblivious to the fact that trends have changed from one generation to the next, and freedom is a major motivator for this generation. Marriage norms have shifted, and the institution of marriage, which was based on passion, is now more focused on economic gains. The change of view of marriage by the millennials has dramatically impacted traditional marriage ways. A large population of millennials is opting out of marriage, and neither do they seem to be in a hurry to get married (Downey).
Financial Situations and Marriage
Majority of millennials are discouraged from marriage due to their financial situations which are inadequate for supporting marriage. Money has a significant impact on marriage, without money one is not capable of sustaining themselves and neither can they support a family. Many millennials find themselves in debt, due to the high cost of tuition costs and thus a more reason to opt out of marriage.
Education Prioritization
Education is also another reason why millennials are not getting married. After high school many students proceed to higher education, making marriage a later rite of passage. They have put education as a priority, especially in families where the parents did not go to college, and these consequently sets romantic relationships for later. They spent too much time on education making marriage unnecessary (Fellizar).
Effects of Divorce on Millennials
Children who have undergone the experience of divorce find it hard understanding or believing they can have a healthy relationship. Many children who witnessed divorce have more relationship issues in their adult life than their peers. The result of these separations has caused many millennials want to avoid marriage.
Cultural Shift
Culture change, where before marriage was an agreement between two families in many cultures. For a woman to be considered successful in life, she had to be married, and her rights were more limited if she stayed unmarried. Currently, these culture has shifted, and single mothers and divorced women are viewed in the society more positively than in the past. In the past decades’ contraception methods were not well developed and sex education was also limited which in turn led to many unwanted pregnancies and consequentially to many rushed marriages. Currently marrying because of pregnancy has reduced due to the improved efficiency and accessibility of contraception, hence one of the factors why millennials are marrying less.
Focus on Careers
Millennials are becoming more and more focused on their careers than ever before. Since the rates of underemployment are high, many are chasing the career paths once they get a career it becomes hard for them to let go. Many of those who are desperate for jobs cannot interrupt them for marriage (Strand). Others find traditional marriage as an outdated concept, and they would instead rebel to the standards that the society has made. Others tend to argue that one can always get married later and that marriage has no expiration date. Blaming it on the hookup culture is also an excuse that some have, calming that romance is a societal belief.
Embracing Independence
Millennials value sense of self and independence, putting a high stake on personal freedom and embracing of opportunity. These factors make the millennials more different from their predecessors and hence the hesitation of making lifetime commitments. Millennials seem capable of living fluffing lives without marriage, with great jobs, friends and extended family they can afford everything they want. Therefore, the increase in education debts, rising divorce rates, the hookup culture, and change of lifestyle makes millennials more hesitant to marriage.
Works Cited
Downey, B Allen. “Will Millennials Ever Get Married?” THE 14th PYTHON IN SCIENCE CONF 2015: 5.
Fellizar, Kristine. Here’s why millennials aren’t choosing to get married. 30 November 2016. 5 November 2017.
Strand, Paul. Millennials Ditching Marriage and Church. 12 December 2016. 5 November 2017.
