For this post I wanted to dive right into my first topic: the decline in the sanction of marriage.

To start I wanted to highlight a few statistics, for the USA.

By 2013, Millennials, between the ages of 18-32, only 26% were married. As compared to the Gen X generation that was at 36% in 1997, the Baby Boomers held at 48% in 1980, and the Silents were at 65% in 1960 (Desert News National).

1/4 of Millennials are assumed to disregard marriage entirely (Pew Research Center).

6.9/1000 people were found to be married, in 2014 (CDC).

In 2010, Marriage rates were at the lowest point that have been since 1860, and divorce rates have only continued to climb throughout this 144 year period (Washington Post).

2015 indicates that the divorce rate is as approximately 50% for all ordained marriages (The Cheat Sheet-Divorces).

By 2015, a study showed that 23% of married men and 19% of married women claimed that they cheated on their spouse at least once. And, this is only those who admitted to cheating (Indiana State University).

In 2014, 40% of births were to unmarried women (Child Trends Data Bank).

These shocking statistics prove where our culture is leading us. The lack f interest in marriage is increasing and the family as a whole is suffering. The foundation of a marriage is the key to creating the strongest bond between all family members that is possible. For example, the children who are born to unmarried parents are much more likely to be in less socioeconomic classes, have sex at younger ages, and receive lower education levels (Child Trends Data Bank).

Marriages are a promise between two people, and if made within a dedicated temple, a triangular relationship with God also. Promises, meaning that two people are creating links between them that are much harder to let go of or break than a simple verbal agreement that they desire to live together. Promises tend to hold weight with people and for the most part, people want to uphold their promise. Not to mention that divorces are a difficult, inconvenient, and expensive procedure, making me assume that people are willing to think through that decision for longer periods of time, thus causing some to then end up choosing to stay with their partner because of the time spent thinking through their relationship.

Marriages are being seen as unnecessary in today’s society, especially when considering the recently advanced desires to accumulate as much education as possible to gain as great a monetary situation as possible. Though education and monetary comfortability are highly important, it is crucial to recognize which we are prioritizing over the other: family or career success?

I will mention that I have always been a very independent girl whom definitely has always had goals to obtain an education and be successful in my career, but at the end of the day, what makes me infinitely more happy are my family and my future husband. I can achieve success in both; and I will. However, my priority is my family now, and the future family I will have.