Once upon a time, we were told that the ultimate successes we could achieve as Americans would be based in our career, our family, and our bank account.
Looking around though, it seems that there have been fewer and fewer couples opting to get married—if they’re even staying together at all.
Is this a real trend? Or are we just very sensitive because we’re following a generation of parents that got married young, settled down, and had financial success?
The truth behind the perception may surprise some.
The reasons for American singles aren’t committing may seem complicated, but the breakdown is very simple.
Below are the top three reasons why as an American, you’re more likely to stay single.
Too young or not ready to settle down
This may not seem like the reason in a lot of opinions, but when polled, this was the answer chosen for a large number of young singles.
In fact, 33% of single individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 said this was exactly the reason they weren’t ready to get married.
This is a less popular reason, with 13% of people between the ages of 25 and 34 saying this was the main problem, and 11% of those older than 35 agreeing.
Though this may seem like a superficial reason for most to include in their reasons for not being married, and one that will be fixed with time—it points to a growing trend in marriage that we haven’t seen.
More and more people are viewing it as normal and acceptable to get married much older, a trend that isn’t going anywhere.
Not financially secure enough
One of the biggest reasons single people eager for love may hesitate to take the plunge is because of money.
Jobs aren’t as plentiful as they used to be, and it’s hard for many to commit to someone, let alone to commit to a financial future they can’t afford presently.
When it comes to 18 – 24 year olds, 26% of them say this is the main reason they haven’t settled down, where as a shocking 34% of 25 – 34 year olds think money is in the way of them being with a partner.
Those over 35 jump back down to 20%, though this is just as surprising since many see this age as a time when people finally reach financial security.
Haven’t found their special someone
Though this seems like an obvious answer to the question, the reason for this being the number one thing keeping people alone may be surprising. 25% of 18 – 24 year olds have a hard time finding mates, which may be due to their higher chance of relocation and moving.
The number goes up to 29% for 25 – 34 year olds, though this still feels like a reasonable number. It’s not until after 35 that a staggering 41% say they’re having trouble finding the one in their social circle.
Whether it’s due to age or due to a rise in individuals waving off marriage, it’s obvious that the trend isn’t just in our heads—there’s a real problem.
The numbers are there for everyone to see, though many have argued that the data is simply a bigger symptom of something plaguing our society in general.
Is the rise in American singles tied to something greater? Or is this just a trend young Americans have decided to continue? Regardless, many find themselves single and are not always happy about it.