What's Trending with Families?

In the past twenty years there have been many changes found in society and the way we live. This is not excluding families at all. In 1990 the average age at which men got married was 26 and women got married on average at the age of 23. In 2010, the average age that men got married has risen to 28 and women were getting married typically at the age of 26. Why is this happening? You may be wondering why people are waiting so long to get married and for some this may seem normal and for others it may be startling. One solution to why this is happening is that more women have entered the workforce and seeking for more fulfilling careers. Coincidentally, the rate of mothers who are working while their children are younger than the age of six has also increased. These statistics have the potential to effect children in their growth and development but also the number of children couples have has also changed. Women currently will only have on average 1.8 children in their lifetime.

            Some factors that may carry into this statistic is that because women are marrying later in life, they are having children later as well which limits the amount of time women have to bear children. There are many factors that go into having a child. I am by no means condemning or judging women who make this decision. I respect all women in their individual life choices. Personally, I have a fear of having my own children for the time being. Despite my desire to have children of my own one day, my focus is not on having children and won’t be for a few years. I believe that everything comes in its own timing and when it comes to marriage and family its up to the couple.

            This data is put in the perspective of a generic family that has both a mom and a dad living in the home. However, as anyone knows there are lots of other types of families with different circumstances involved. The honest truth is that not as many people are actually getting married anymore. More and more often couples decide that it would be better for them to cohabitate than try for a marriage where it could end in divorce. This is a valid fear and maybe because of it, 60% - 80% of young adults are choosing to cohabitate first rather than getting married. Perhaps on an unrelated but also interesting statistic is that the rate of children born outside of wedlock has increased.

            When I first read these statistics I was a little concerned about the state that people are choosing to live in when it comes to something as serious as family and relationships. However, as I considered more about what the circumstances could be for these statistics it made sense but also still remained saddening. I am a religious woman, which makes me even more of a minority in today's world, however I believe that marriage is sacred and having a family is a beautiful and glorious thing that can be both challenging and fulfilling. Fear is a strong inhibitor that stops us from pursuing what we want most, and if you are struggling with deciding to have children or to get married I would encourage you to seek for what would make you happiest in the long run and choose to have a joyous and fulfilling life.