Is marriage system is weathering away?

 Is marriage system is weathering away? 

వివాహ వ్యవస్థ అంతరిస్తున్నదా? మారుతున్నదా? 

Is marriage system is weathering away?  Why people both women and men are preferring to remain single or unmarried now a days? Discuss all aspects of this subject. Quote popular sociologists where ever necessary. Provide some reliable statistics also.  

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The trend of remaining single or unmarried among both women and men has been increasing in recent years, driven by a complex interplay of social, economic, cultural, and personal factors. Below is an exploration of these factors, including insights from sociologists and relevant statistics.

1. Economic Independence and Career Focus

Economic Independence: As more individuals, especially women, achieve higher levels of education and career success, financial independence diminishes the necessity of marriage for economic security.

Career Focus: Many individuals prioritize their careers, viewing marriage and family life as potential distractions from professional goals. This trend is particularly pronounced among those in demanding professions or with high career aspirations.

Sociological Insight:

Arlie Hochschild: In her work on the "second shift," Hochschild discusses how the demands of work and home life can conflict, leading many to delay or avoid marriage to manage career responsibilities more effectively.

2. Changing Social Norms and Values

Individualism: Modern societies place a higher value on individualism and personal fulfillment. People are more likely to prioritize their own needs and desires over traditional societal expectations.

Cultural Shifts: The stigma associated with being single or unmarried has significantly decreased. Media and popular culture increasingly portray single life as desirable and fulfilling.

Sociological Insight:

Anthony Giddens: Giddens' concept of the "pure relationship" suggests that relationships are increasingly based on emotional and psychological satisfaction rather than social or economic necessity.

3. Increased Life Expectancy and Health

Longer Life Expectancy: With people living longer and healthier lives, there is less urgency to marry young. Many believe they have more time to find the right partner or to enjoy singlehood.

Health and Well-being: Advances in healthcare and lifestyle changes allow individuals to maintain active and fulfilling lives without the need for marital support.

4. Technological and Social Media Influence

Online Dating and Social Media: These platforms provide alternative ways to form relationships and connections without the commitment of marriage.

Virtual Communities: People can find companionship and social fulfillment through online communities and social networks, reducing the perceived need for marriage.

5. Legal and Social Support Systems

Legal Rights and Protections: Many countries now offer legal protections and benefits to single individuals and cohabiting couples, reducing the legal incentives for marriage.

Support Systems: Improved social safety nets, such as healthcare, pensions, and social security, lessen the dependence on marriage for economic and social security.

6. Personal and Psychological Factors

Fear of Divorce: The high rate of divorce in many societies can lead to fear of marital failure, making individuals wary of committing to marriage.

Desire for Freedom: Some people prefer the freedom and flexibility of single life, allowing them to pursue personal interests and lifestyles without compromise.

Sociological Insight:

Zygmunt Bauman: Bauman’s concept of "liquid modernity" describes how contemporary life is characterized by transient relationships and fluid social structures, impacting the stability of traditional institutions like marriage.

Statistics

United States: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of adults who have never married has been steadily increasing. In 2019, 35% of adults aged 25 to 34 had never been married, up from 26% in 1990.

Europe: Eurostat data shows a similar trend, with the median age at first marriage rising across European countries. For example, in 2018, the average age at first marriage was 34 for men and 31 for women.

Japan: The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research reports that in 2020, about 23% of men and 14% of women in their early 50s had never married, indicating a significant increase in lifelong singlehood.

Is the Marriage System Weathering Away?

While marriage as an institution is undergoing significant changes, it is not necessarily weathering away. Instead, it is evolving:

Delayed Marriage: Many individuals are choosing to marry later in life, often after achieving career stability or personal fulfillment.

Alternative Arrangements: Cohabitation, civil partnerships, and other forms of committed relationships are becoming more common, providing alternatives to traditional marriage.

Redefined Roles: The roles and expectations within marriage are also changing, with more emphasis on equality and mutual fulfillment.

Conclusion

The preference to remain single or unmarried is influenced by a myriad of factors, including economic independence, changing social norms, technological advancements, and personal choices. While the traditional institution of marriage is evolving, it continues to adapt to contemporary societal changes rather than disappearing altogether.

References

Hochschild, Arlie. The Second Shift.

Giddens, Anthony. The Transformation of Intimacy.

Bauman, Zygmunt. Liquid Modernity.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2019). Marriage and Divorce Statistics.

Eurostat. (2018). Marriage and Divorce Statistics.

National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, Japan. (2020). Marital Status of the Population.

How much population of India is unmarried?

The latest report of the National Statistical Office stated that the percentage share of the youth population (15-29 years) who are never married has shown an increasing trend in the male population from 20.8 per cent in 2011 to 26.1 per cent in 2019 and similar trend has been observed in case of the female population.14 Jul 2022

Proportion of unmarried youth rising, finds govt survey 

The proportion of unmarried persons within the age bracket of 15-29 years has increased to 23 per cent in 2019 from 17.2 per cent in 2011, according to a government survey. As per the National Youth Policy 2014, those aged 15 to 29 years are classified as youth. 

The latest report of the National Statistical Office stated that the percentage share of the youth population (15-29 years) who are never married has shown an increasing trend in the male population from 20.8 per cent in 2011 to 26.1 per cent in 2019 and similar trend has been observed in case of the female population. 

The proportion of unmarried females rose from 13.5 per cent in 2011 to 19.9 per cent. 

In 2019, the highest percentage share of youth population who are never married have been observed in the States/UTs of Jammu & Kashmir followed by Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab and the lowest have been observed in the States/UTs of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, it stated. 

However, the report did not attribute any reason for rising in the proportion of unmarried youth. 

It stated that early marriage in India has been declining over time. 

The data showed that among the adolescent women (15-19 years), 1.7 per cent of women have been first married by the age of 15 years during 2019-21 as compared to 11.9 per cent in 2005-06. 

Age at marriage also seems to have increased over the years. A significant reduction has been observed in the level of age at first marriage for women in the 25-29 years age cohort as only 52.8 per cent of women have been first married by the age of 20 years during 2019-2021 as compared to 72.4 per cent in 2005-06, it stated. 

Men tend to marry considerably later than women in India since 42.9 per cent of males in the 25-29 years age cohort were first married by the age of 25 years in 2019-21. This percentage was almost double at 83 per cent for females. The percentage of the population who never married also has increased among both males and females in all age groups over the years. 

The median age at first marriage increased steadily from 17.4 years in 2005-06 to 19.7 years in 2019-21 for women in the 25-29 age cohort. 

A similar trend has also been observed for the median age at first cohabitation in the same age cohort during the same period. 

It showed that the more educated the woman is, the higher the median age at first marriage, with the median among women aged 25-29 who have completed 12 or more years of education exceeding the median age among women having no schooling by 5.5 years during 2019-21. 

Further, one good thing is the median age at marriage has increased by two years for women with no schooling and by 1.2 years for those who have not even completed their primary education during this period, it stated. 

The percentage of women aged 20-24 years married before age 18 years in the country has halved in the last 15 years from 47 per cent in 2005-2006 to 23 per cent in 2019-21. Similarly, teenage pregnancy and motherhood have declined from 16 per cent to 7 per cent during the .same period, it stated. 

Read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/proportion-of-unmarried-youth-rising-finds-govt-survey/articleshow/92878668.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Why is the unmarried population on the rise in India?

For men Because of

Adultry legalised

Paternity fraud

Divorce

Alimony

Child support

Some women will marry a guy to get alimony and child support and then have live in relationship with bf

Platonic love is a type of love in which sexual desire or romantic features are nonexistent or have been suppressed, sublimated, or purgated, but it means more than simple friendship.

The term is derived from the name of Greek philosopher Plato, though the philosopher never used the term himself. Platonic love, as devised by Plato, concerns rising through levels of closeness to wisdom and true beauty, from carnal attraction to individual bodies to attraction to souls, and eventually, union with the truth.

Platonic love is contrasted with romantic love.