When it comes to relationships and marriage, things have changed in the past decade. People are waiting longer to get married. Many are foregoing marriage altogether.
Indeed, the average age of marriage continues to rise. In 2022, the median age for marriage was approximately 30.5 years old for men. Women were a little younger, at 28.6 years old.
Relationships are changing. In the past, people went to school, got a career, married, and had kids. That’s just what people did. Nowadays, millennials and other young people are defying these societal rules. They are having relationships their own way, at their own pace.
Many do not get married because they have not found the right person. They may not want children, so what’s the point? They may be scared of divorce and losing all the wealth they have accumulated.
These are valid concerns. Still, people are getting married at high rates. In 2021, there were just under 2 million marriages in the United States, so that means roughly 4 million people got married.
So this begs the question: why do people get married? Couples may decide on wedded bliss for various reasons. Now that we are in 2024, here is a look at some of the reasons why people are still getting married.
Love and Companionship
People have always married because they are in love, and that still rings true. When someone wants to be with another person for the rest of their lives, they will show this by getting married. Marriage comes with emotional and psychological benefits. When someone wants to marry you, it shows that your life means something to someone else, and this can boost your self-esteem.
Getting married is a huge commitment. It shows that you are committed to being a partner to your spouse. You are willing to be there for them, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, for better and for worse. That’s huge.
Health Benefits
Marriage comes with health benefits. Studies show that marriage positively impacts your health, even though it may not feel that way when your spouse is making your life miserable. Married people tend to live longer and are less likely to experience major episodes of depression. They are also less likely to have a heart attack or stroke and are more likely to survive major surgery. While marriage can be stressful, stay positive and know that marriage comes with long-term health benefits, which may help you get through the challenges you may face.
Financial Benefits
Even if you are happily unmarried, getting married can be beneficial for financial reasons. Studies show that 13% of married couples tied the knot for financial reasons. Indeed, marriage has financial benefits, such as:
- Married couples get tax benefits by filing jointly.
- Spouses can gift each other money with limited tax consequences.
- Various types of insurance (health and auto, for example) are often lower for married couples.
- You may be eligible for Medicare and veterans’ benefits based on your spouse’s eligibility.
- Married couples have more Social Security options.
Stability
Marriage offers stability. It gives a couple a foundation to raise a family. While people can raise a family outside of marriage, it is still often frowned upon in some cultures. Children tend to do better in life when they are raised by parents who are in a stable marriage.
Marriage also makes the relationship official. Some couples do not need a piece of paper to be committed to each other, but some do. Marriage is often seen as a deep commitment and a permanent relationship. When a couple is not married, they are often seen as not as serious about each other. A wedding celebrates the love the couple has for each other. Plus, marriage is deemed a requirement in some religions and cultures, so it is often seen as the right thing to do once a couple has been together for a long period of time.
Expectations
In the past, people were expected to get married. It’s just part of life. You meet someone in your 20s or 30s and get married. Some people still try to live up to these expectations. They consider it part of the order of life. It may be the next step after starting a career. People often think that once a relationship becomes serious, it is expected that you get married. That may have been the expectation in the past, but nowadays, you don’t have to move on to marriage. You can stay in a committed relationship without marriage.
Sexual Benefits
Despite the myth, married people have sex more often than single people. Having frequent sex with someone you are familiar with can make you feel more comfortable trying new things. While the novelty of sex with the same person may decrease over time, you do not have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases.
Also, some couples wait until marriage to have sex. This may be for religious reasons, or maybe it is just part of their personal beliefs. Many people believe that sex is for marriage only. They refuse to engage in it outside of marriage. Therefore, it is not uncommon for some couples to marry after a short period of time just so they can have sex without feeling guilty or shameful about it.
Seek Legal Help
If you listen to the news, millennials are ruining marriage, and they are not having as many kids. Still, people are getting married for various reasons.
No matter why you get married, marriage still leads to divorce. Broward County divorce attorney Scott J. Stadler has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process with ease. Schedule a consultation with our office today by calling (954) 346-6464 or filling out the online form.