Is California a Single-Majority State?

SAN DIEGO DIVORCE LAWYERS

Is California a Single-Majority State?

single

According to a report from The Sacramento Bee, California may be on the verge of becoming a state where most adults are not married. What’s behind this move? We’ll discuss it in this issue.

What The Stats Say About Declining Marriage in California

Relying upon the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Sacramento Bee reporters found that about 51% of California adults (those over 18) are currently married – that’s actually a decrease from 74% in 1960.

During that same time frame, the percentage of California adults who’ve never married has more than doubled – from 13% to 34%.

Factor in the roughly 700,000 Californians who are separated, and presto – California is a state where the majority is single.

The Reasons Behind the Numbers

There are a few factors behind the trend to a single-majority state.

  • For starters, most Californians are waiting longer to get married. While the median age nationwide for women who were getting married for the first time was 20 in the 1950s and 1960s, it’s close to 27 now.
  • Since California legalized “no fault” divorces in 1970, the percentage of divorced adults has doubled from 5% to 10%.
  • According to the census, more and more Californians are opting to live together rather than marry.

Numbers and Reasons Mirrored at National Level?

In a study that sparked national headlines, data provided by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University found that marriage rates at the national level actually increased in 2015 while divorce rates dipped slightly.

Editors with TIME magazine cautioned against thinking the two numbers were related. Instead, the editors confirmed that living together, or co-habiting, has become somewhat less stigmatized and people by and large do not rely upon marriage to shore up a weak relationship.

If You’re Facing Divorce, You’re Not Alone

Divorce is rarely easy, but you should take some solace in knowing that you’re definitely not alone. In fact, once your divorce is complete, you’ll be among the majority here in California.

For expert advice and help with your divorce, call us here at The Men’s Legal Center. Our number is 619-234-3838 or you can reach us via email.

 

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