INFOGRAPHIC: WHY IS MARRIAGE GRADUALLY DISAPPEARING AND WHY DO SO MANY OF THEM FAIL?

You'll be surprised to see who values marriage the most in modern America.

American marriages have never been more precarious. But why do marriages fall apart, and how are families changing as a result?

The following infographic, by Tiffany Farrant and PromotionalCodes.org.uk, casts a piercing eye on the institution. Based on the annual report by The National Marriage Project, it paints a picture of marriage becoming a less and less relevant factor in the way American's live and raise children. The short version: Marriage is simply shrinking as a cultural value; where 66% of women over 15 were married in 1960, the figure has shrunk every decade since.* Now, it's just 51%:

But perhaps the most surprising fact is who is getting married -- and staying married. Conservative pundits will gleefully tell you that the educated elite are busy destroying every last thing that America holds dear, with family values being at the top of the list. (At the same time, when Levi Johnston first promised to marry Bristol Palin, this was held as some sort of ideal. How'd that work out?) But the fact is that being educated, making more money, waiting on kids, getting married late, and being religious are the most reliable indicators that your marriage will last.

Now, to say that marriage is disappearing isn't to say that people are opting to remain single. Rather, it appears that couples are living together in presumably monogamous relationships without getting married at all, while child rearing has become more and more disconnected from the institution of marriage.

*You might think that one very small reason is the fact that the legal age of marriage has changed over time, but the researchers have controlled for this using statistical methods.

COMMENTARY:    I have known about this for sometime when I spoke with a wedding planner, and she told me that her business was down about half.   The subject of marriages came up and she revealed that marriages were down about 25%, which correlates with decline in the institution of marriage.

I am not the best person to give marriage advice, but I believe that there are several reason's marriage is on the decline:  

1. Dramatic generational changes that have occurred since the 1960's. Women work, have careers, and are more self-sustaining, and not dependent on their husband in the event of a divorce.  
2. Co-habitation is in.  It's the best way to "test the waters", and determine if your partner is someone you want to spend your life with.   50% of marriages fail within five years. That's not a very good batting average, no wonder couples prefer not to marry.
3. Open and casual relationships are much more common, with partner's ending a relationship at the drop of a hat.  Males and females alike often have several casual partners either for dating or sex.

On December 4, 2010, I would like to share with you a blog post titled, "THE LOVER'S GUIDE TO WHEN, HOW AND THE METHODS USED BY COUPLES TO BREAK-UP", which I found very amusing. 

Courtesy of an article dated January 18, 2011 appearing in Fast Company Design

Comments

[Jessica Thomas]

I am married for more than 20 years now. The question raised above is hard to answer. Their has been no formula for us to be successful in the married life.

[Tommy]

Communication is definitely a key to a happy marriage, and the ability to compromise without bickering. Thanks for your input.

[charleston defense lawyer]

We have all heard that communication is the true key to a happy marriage. And this can be truly helpful many times.