Americans' views of marriage are realistic and romantic at the same time. They recognize that arguments between spouses may be good for a marriage, while at the same time a majority thinks the romance never leaves a relationship. Eight in ten Americans feel that people getting married today take the institution of marriage less seriously compared to their parents' generation while only five percent feel they take it more seriously. Women are a little tougher on the younger generation than men. 82 percent of women say those marrying today do not take it as seriously as the previous generation, while 77 percent of men agree with this assessment.
Younger people are equally as critical of today's marriages as their older counterparts.
79 percent of those under 30 say people getting married today do not take it as seriously while 80 percent of those over 30 feel the same way. Regardless of the perception that marriage isn't taken as seriously today as a generation ago, nearly all married respondents say they are satisfied with their marriages and more than eight in ten are very satisfied with it - virtually unchanged since 1995. Although a majority of parents and non-parents both report they are satisfied with their marriages, those without children under 18 living at home are a little happier. 77 percent of those with children say they are very satisfied, whereas 84 percent of those without children feel very satisfied. With Americans so satisfied in their marriages, it's no surprise that if they had to do it all over again most would marry the same person.