Young adults especially young women are increasingly pessimistic about finding a lifetime marriage partner and are more accepting of alternative lifestyles. The percentage of high school senior girls who expect to stay married for life declined from 68 percent to 64 percent from 1976 to 1995, although the number rose slightly for senior boys. High school senior girls are less likely to say they will have happier lives if they choose legal marriage instead of staying single or living with someone, down from 39 percent in 1976 to 30 percent in 1995. High school senior girls who say that having a child while unmarried is a worthwhile lifestyle rose from 33 percent to 53 percent. Many factors contribute to this trend.
Young women are more economically independent and less reliant on marriage.
The mass increase of women in the workforce means they now have the option of leaving bad marriages. Higher expectations for intimacy and shared responsibilities also contribute to this trend. But it was not all bad news. Last year in Florida, legislators passed a law requiring marriage skills to be taught in high schools. Additionally, adults preparing for marriage in Florida receive a substantial discount on their marriage licenses if they choose to take a marriage education course.