Marriage Can Wait

By Erica Torres

Summer is typically wedding season. It’s a time when some people reflect on their views of marriage. College of Southern Nevada students, among other millennials, are choosing to wait till later in life to marry.

Throughout history, marriage had been described as an economic or political arrangement between two families. Therefore choosing a spouse for a sentimental reason such as love was abnormal in the past. Today the views on marriage have changed for millennials oftentimes pushing the age of marriage back.

A December 2016 Pew Research Center’s study titled “For Many Millennials, Marriage Can Wait,” it states there was a sharp rise since 2000 of people between the ages of 20 and 34 who have never married. “In cities where millennials flock for jobs, the situation can be extreme.”

According to that study, “Young couples are living together without getting married at a higher rate. For the 20 to 34 age group, the share of households that include unmarried partners increased from 12 to 16 percent since 2000.”

CSN Professor John Gannon, who teaches sociology, states, “It is clear that how we view marriage has changed over time. Fewer people are getting married and the average age at first marriage continues to slowly rise currently about 29 for men and 27 for women. In 1990, it was 26 for men and 23 for women and in 1960, it was 22 for men and 20 for women.”

Gannon adds, “Societal changes such as shifts in gender roles and other economic factors have led to a decrease in the importance of marriage. We continue to see an increase in the number of people who are cohabiting, which has also helped push the age of first marriage higher.”

CSN sociologist Professor Robert Manis states, “Views of marriage are always changing: for the last 50 years especially. The changes that started in the ‘60s is continuing and may have picked up speed since the early 2000s. Nevertheless, most people still believe in marriage as an expression of love and especially as a basis for raising children. But they are also more and more aware that there are other options, especially since so many millennials have been raised in families that have experienced divorce.”

CSN student Kamal Buchanan states, “I plan to wait and get married in my late 40s. I’d rather live my life and focus on my career first.”

Marquille Cleveland, CSN student, states, “Marriage is a special connection between two people and it’s very important to come together for love; it should feel organic. I plan to wait for marriage. When you’re younger you don’t fully understand the sacrifice, reality and commitment behind union.”

CSN student Calvin Jordan expresses, “Marriage is pointless. I don’t feel the need to get the State involved in my love affairs. Marriage is pulling tangible assets before State to be shared equally between the two people. I just see no point. I do not need the State involved to prove my undeniable love for someone.”

Danielle Vargas, CSN student, says she thinks marriage is unnecessary if in a relationship with a commitment though she believes in marriage and plans to wait to get married.