Only 67% of U.S. 12th graders say they will likely get married someday, a significant drop from 80% in 1993, according to a Pew Research analysis. Meanwhile, 24% remain unsure about marriage, up from 16% three decades ago, showing growing uncertainty rather than outright rejection.
Among those intending to marry, fewer teens now express strong confidence in lifelong marriage or having children. In 2023, 51% said they were very likely to stay married to the same person for life, down from 59% in 1993. Similarly, only 48% said they were very likely to want children in marriage, a notable decline from 64% thirty years ago.
Gender Differences Drive the Change
The decline in marriage aspirations is largely driven by girls. While in 1993, 83% of girls wanted to marry—more than boys at 76%—this has reversed. By 2023, girls’ intention dropped sharply by 22 points to 61%, whereas boys’ intention remained steady at around 74%.
Questions and Answers
Q: How has teen marriage intention changed over 30 years?
A: It has dropped nearly 13 percentage points overall, mainly due to decreased desire among girls.
Q: Are teens increasingly unsure about marriage?
A: Yes, the share of 12th graders who don’t know if they will marry rose from 16% to 24%.
Q: Do fewer teens expect lifelong marriage?
A: Yes, fewer teens today are very likely to expect marriage to last a lifetime.
Q: Is there a gender gap in marriage intentions?
A: Yes, boys are now more likely than girls to want to marry, reversing past trends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Has the decline in marriage intentions affected teen views on having children?
Yes, fewer teens today express strong intentions to have children if married.
What social factors might influence this trend?
Changing cultural attitudes, economic uncertainties, and shifting priorities like career focus may play roles.
Will these trends impact future family structures?
Potentially, as lower marriage and childbearing intentions could influence demographic and social patterns in coming decades.
