While the number of marriages continues to fall from where it was 50 years ago, a large majority of married Republicans say they are "completely satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their relationship. Among Democrats the number is clearly lower, especially among women of this political tendency.
According to a survey by the Survey Center on American Life, Republican men are the most satisfied in their relationships, while Democratic women are the least satisfied. Among married Republican men, 83% say they are "completely" or "very" satisfied with their relationship. Nearly half (48%) of them say they are "completely satisfied" with their marriages, while 37% say they are "very satisfied." Among married Democratic men, although they are also in the majority (76%) who say they are at least satisfied with their spouse, the figures are more discrete, especially among those who say they are "completely satisfied" (36%).
The trend is the same among women according to their political sympathies. In the case of married Republican women, 42% say they feel "completely satisfied" in their marriages. In addition, 37% say they are "very satisfied" in their marriage. In contrast, only 29% of Democratic women say they are "completely satisfied", while 41% say they are "very satisfied."
Marriages fall, cohabitating couples double
The latest survey from the Survey Center on American Life reveals a persistent gender divide in American dating and relationships.
What are the biggest dating deal breakers? How prevalent are ghosting, sexting, and infidelity?
It's all in the report: https://t.co/yIlS9BURMR
— Survey Center on American Life (@amersurveyctr) February 10, 2023
The survey also echoes the downward trend of marriage among young Americans. As a first detail, it indicates that more men indicate that they are married than women. As a general trend, one in three Americans has never married. Among adults between 18 and 34, only 25% married. A more than remarkable decrease, if we take into account that in 1978, 59% of young married people in this age group were married.
In contrast, the number of Americans cohabiting with their partner doubled over the past three decades. Nearly six out of ten young people indicated that they have lived with a partner at some point. Interestingly, despite the fact that there are now more Americans who have never married, many do not qualify as single. In fact, although three in ten (35%) have never married, only one in five (21%) define themselves as single. Moreover, many Americans who have never married have been in stable relationships for many years. More than half (53%) of never-married Americans currently living with a partner have been in that relationship for at least five years. Nearly one in three (32%) of Americans who live with their partner have been together for at least 10 years.
Did covid affect relationships?
Covid has also been noticed in relationships, and in the way of initiating one. When the pandemic began, six in 10 (59%) young men, compared with 38% of young women, reported being single. Currently, the majority (57%) of young men are single. Among young women, however, the figure has increased, with nearly half (45%) reporting themselves as single.
One surprising statistic is the large number of Americans who are not interested in dating. The top two reasons are having more important priorities in their lives (36%) and finding it difficult to meet people (also 36%). Another cause, according to respondents (30%) is that singles can't find someone who matches them. This point is especially notable among women, being used by four out of 10 (38%) single women. This problem is more acute among women with university studies, among whom this cause is a handicap for 45%.
What do you look for when choosing a partner?
Among the priorities when choosing a partner, Americans analyzed the importance of proximity, education, employment, smoking, children, stance on abortion, religion, eating habits and political leanings. Thus, 68% acknowledged not being interested in meeting someone who resides in another state. Regarding employment, 81% of women said they would be less likely to date someone unemployed, compared to 56% of men who said the same.
The growing number of divorces has increased the number of singles with children, when it comes to entering into a relationship. However, more than half of the respondents indicated that dating someone with children from a previous relationship would not be a problem. Regarding starting a relationship with someone who doesn't want children, 44% say they don't mind, compared to 39% who say they find it less interesting.
49% would not date someone who does not believe in God
As for religion, 42% say they would not date someone "very religious," compared to 36% who do not care. However, nearly half (49%) of respondents say they would be slightly less likely to enter into a relationship with someone who did not believe in God.
Abortion, which appeared to be one of the great 'breakthroughs', is surprisingly not so decisive. According to the survey, only 14% of respondents find it impossible to date someone who does not share their views on this issue.
8 out of 10 would not date a smoker
Dating someone who smokes is off-putting to 77% of Americans, including 58% who find it very difficult to start a relationship with a smoker. Veganism is also seen as negative by most Americans. 40% say they would find it more difficult to start a relationship with a vegan.
When it comes to finding a partner, dating apps are gaining ground. Although 76% of Americans say they have never used this type of tool to find a partner, more and more are beginning to learn about them. Among those who do, young people stand out (33%). However, the biggest users of these tools are gays and lesbians (58%), according to the survey.
How do Americans find a partner?
On the analog side, however, one in four Americans (26%) claim to have met their partner through mutual friends or family members. 17% at school, and as many (17%) at work or at a work-related event. In addition, 10% were seen for the first time in their community or neighborhood, and 8% at a bar, nightclub or party. Only 5% found their better half in church or a place of worship.
What's the biggest dating liability?
For most Americans, it's smoking. However, there's a 24 point education gap.
This divide extends to most of the attributes we asked about, as shown below. pic.twitter.com/tGWaHxN7qN
— Survey Center on American Life (@amersurveyctr) February 9, 2023
Sexting, ghosting and cheating
In addition, the survey indicates that sexting, ghosting and open relationships have been incorporated into the U.S. dating handbook. As for sexting (sending or receiving sexually explicit images or messages). This practice is more widespread among young people, with 33% of girls and 25% of boys admitting to having sexted with their partners. On the negative side, 29% of women and 21% of men reported receiving unsolicited explicit images.
One in four respondents indicated that one of their ex-partners has stopped talking to them and broken off contact with them without giving any reason. A situation even more frequent among singles. In terms of age, those who suffer the most from ghosting are millennials (33%).
40% admit having been cheated on by their partner or spouse.
Infidelity has seen significant growth among U.S. couples. Thus, 40% of respondents acknowledged that they have been cheated on by their spouse or partner. Women (46%) are the main victims, while 34% of men confirm having been deceived. Among them, black women suffer the most (61%), followed by white women (45%) and Hispanic women (41%).
