Young Americans waiting longer to get married, often until after 30

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cmarriageoct02,0,2996707.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

She has a master's degree in education and a head full of ambition. By day, she's a teacher. By night, she writes dramatic movie scripts. She's also developing a nonprofit tutoring organization, so someday she can be her own boss. Her name is Thais Council, and at 26, this Plantation resident knows exactly where she is going in the next several years -- and it isn't down the aisle. "I don't see myself getting married until, maybe, when I'm over 30," she said, pausing. "Well over 30."

Today's young Americans are putting off marriage in increasing numbers, census data show. Those in South Florida are waiting slightly longer than the national average, with more than half staying single through their 20s and a little less than one-third still single between the ages of 30 and 34.

Council and other 20-somethings say the reason for this delay is simple: nowadays, marriage isn't the first step to adulthood, it's one of the last. Finishing school, getting a good job, and achieving financial and emotional independence are now the prerequisites -- prerequisites that they say are taking even longer to achieve because of South Florida's soaring cost of living, the generation's tendency to cling to their parents and their fears of divorce.

"I do feel pressure from my grandparents; they think I'm getting ancient. But I feel like I need to be more established with my career. I want to feel more self-sufficient," said Ronit Zargar, 27, of Boca Raton, who has a boyfriend but is in no rush to tie the knot. "I look at marriage as a final thing. There is no divorce."

It's totally realistic. :eyes:

Is the divorce rate reflecting anything?

I value my independence and own financial stability before entering marriage. I'm probably going to marry the guy I'm with now, but we're BOTH in no rush to marry-- we need to establish our careers and lay the foundations for a good financial future :)

I'm 34...my Bride is 33.

And we've been together for 3 and 1/2 years...and just decided that we would do it on a cruise we've been planning for months.

All my siblings are older than I am and are married or married and divorced. They all have at least one kid.

I'm in no rush, and I don't want to have kids (had the V several years ago), and it drives my sisters crazy that I'm not married or even seeing anyone.

A friend of mine sent me an article about a newly identified demographic, which I guess I fall into. I can't remember the name the propoents of this lifestyle gave it, but essentially, your happiness doesn't depend on being in a relationship, and you're not afraid of being alone.

TlalocW

I am a liberal so I am not here to judge....