A report from the National Marriage Project from Rutgers University published in June shows 20-somethings intend to have happy marriages eventually but do nothing to get closer to that goal. This study suggests women, in particular, have cynical views of marital success.
Marital cynicism permeates pop-ular culture in email jokes, movie dialogue, and television sitcoms.
It is easy to see how young people have become cynical toward mar-riage. In the majority of young adult couples, at least one partner has witnessed their parents' divorce, more likely, both partners have experienced the pains from parents divorcing. Unfortunately, marital cynicism is preventing many young adults from getting the full benefits of one of the smartest life choices possible. Contrary to the pes-simistic conclusions about marriage, there is much evidence to support an attitude of hope towards marriage. In their book, The Case for Marriage, to be published in September, Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher report demographic data that show marriage has great benefits.