The American Family: Waiting to Say ‘I Do’

Stat: 7. On average, Americans are waiting nearly seven years longer to get married than they did in 1968, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Story: Does putting off marriage mean people no longer want to say “I do?” To learn more about this trend, we spoke to couples who are waiting to wed—in the first installment of our four-part series on today’s American family. Marriage historian Stephanie Coontz also offers insights.

Related resources:

• 8 Facts About Love and Marriage in America
• For Many Millennials, Marriage Can Wait
• Number of U.S. Adults Cohabiting With a Partner Continues to Rise, Especially Among Those 50 and Older 
• Record Share of Americans Have Never Married 
• Led by Baby Boomers, Divorce Rates Climb for America’s 50+ Population 
• U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2018 Families and Living Arrangements Tables