I did some research on the average ages of marriage in America from different decades. As you might have assumed 1950 had the youngest average age, being 20 for women and 24 for men. As of 2010 those numbers are now about 27 for women and 28 for men, the highest ages on the charts(the chart dates from 1890 to 2010). Although it's worth noting that the averages in 1890 were 23 for women and 26 for men.
I noticed something interesting on the chart. At no point did the men's average age for marriage dip below the women's. In fact there's only one time in which they're about 1 year in difference and that would be 2000. 25 for women and 26 for men. The percentage of women that marry at 18 was also higher than men, 6% and 2% respectively.
I also looked up the statistics on divorce and I found the common 40% to 50% of first marriages will end in divorce. Lately though there has been a rise of studies disputing that percentage. In actuality the divorce rates have been declining since 1980, leaving them more realistically at 30% to 40%.
Census.gov has a chart that was done in 2009 with marriage and divorce statistics by age group. With each age group you had a increased number of marriages and a increased number of divorces. The only two age groups where the divorce rate was lower than the age group before it was the 18 to 19 group and the 70 and over group. The marriage rates continued to go up too.
I'm curious about how many of those that marry at the average age of marriage today knew each other at the ages we knew each other. Maybe people are waiting longer to get married or perhaps they're just finding who they wanna be with later on.
Dillon and I got married at almost 20(he turned 21 a few weeks later) and 18. We were younger than my parents when they got married( Dad was 26 and Mom was 22), and older than my mom's parents( Granddaddy was 19 and Nana was 17 1/2). I wonder where the next generation will be as far as marriage is concerned. Will the average continue to climb or will they slowly decrease? Only time shall tell.
I was 17 and Ornery was 18 when we met, I was 19 and he was 20 when we married. Interesting stats; thanks for sharing them! Your whole month of posts has been great. :)
ReplyDeleteNot far from our ages, we were 16 and 19 when we first met. Thanks! I've enjoyed your month as well. Thanks for reading :)
DeleteVery interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mama!
DeleteI was 22, hubby was 26. I wonder if the divorce rates are going down because people are living with each other more these days than in the past and working out their differences in relationships by breaking up instead of divorcing. Of course living together with someone and then breaking up is almost as messy as a divorce.
ReplyDeletebetty
That's an interesting idea, you're probably right. Thanks for reading Betty!
DeleteInteresting! My parents were 19 & 17 and have been married for 30 years! We married at 24 & 28. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I'm sure y'all are excited to be celebrating 30 years together one day! Thanks for reading Heather :)
DeleteThis is so interesting! My husband and I met in high school and started dating at 19- and Im actually older than him by 5 months! I wonder if that throws the statistics? ;) We were 22 when we married and are celebrating 7 years in October! Im all for marrying young and getting a lifetime to know and love your spouse.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! Haha I know right. That's awesome, happy (early) anniversary! I feel the same way, just more years to know and love. Thanks for reading Whitney!
Delete