The trend of men avoiding marriage is becoming only prevalent with time. Wonder why men don’t want to get married anymore? We’ll look at the different reasons behind this trend catching on with such rapidity in modern society. With the rise in live-in and polyamorous relationships, people are not only delaying marriage but are considering doing away with it altogether. The relationship between men and marriage is quickly changing.
Men who never marry can sometimes end up living happier and more satisfying lives. So if you’re on the fence about whether marriage is the right choice for you, irrespective of your relationship status, we can help you out a little bit. You need to understand why marriage is not important as it is made out to be. Here are 6 reasons behind men avoiding marriage that you should consider as well vis-à-vis your own wants and needs.
# I don’t need paperwork to affirm I’m in a relationshipOne of the reasons why men don’t want to get married anymore is the idea of “forever” and “happily ever after” may seem too idealistic to be real to them. This can be especially true of men who grow up in dysfunctional families and have seen first-hand the toxicity an unhappy marriage can breed. Some men fall in love but don’t need a marriage certificate as proof of their commitment to their partners. Also, some men just don’t think that marriage is worth all the hassle.
# Women’s independence and gender equalityMarriage rates are dropping, according to studies. In the US, 340,000 fewer marriages took place in 2020 than in 2019. The drop of 16.8% is proof enough that men are avoiding marriage. But why is this happening? Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Women’s independence and gender equality is a huge factor in the long-term decline in marriage.
# Why men don’t want to get married anymore – A deadline for dreamsThe 20s are a time to chase your dreams, and at this stage, you may not even be sure about what you want in a relationship. A lot of young men these days don’t want to get married because of the apprehension that it’d put a pin in their goals and life plans. The silver lining for men is that they don’t have to worry about their ticking biological clock as much as women. But, on the downside, there’s societal pressure on many men to become financially stable before getting married. These factors contribute to men not marrying these days.
# Marriage changes men in fundamental waysAccording to the work of sociologist Steve Nock, marriage changes men in fundamental ways. In his book Marriage in Men’s Lives, he discussed how men’s belief systems about themselves and their wives change when they cross the line. His argument rests on the potency of the social role of the husband. In general, he argued, men begin to see themselves as fathers, providers, and protectors when they transition into marriage.
# Rising divorce rates and struggle for child custodyA successful marriage is not everyone’s cup of tea. Reddit user Tincanbrain says, 'Almost half of all marriages end up in divorce, which makes me question the purpose behind marriage in the first place. Plus, divorce is a long-drawn-out legal battle that saps your resources and continues to do so even after the proceedings. Sometimes, even with a prenup involved, the divorce doesn’t really go down smoothly. Marriage just feels like you’re setting yourself up for financial and mental pain in the future, so why do it?'
# Waiting for the perfect soulmateResearch on why men don’t want to get married anymore found that many men were waiting for the perfect soulmate, who would not try to change them. They do want to get married but not settle for someone who is incompatible. Most people have a hard time saying yes to marriage because there is a good chance they would end up with the wrong person.
Maybe you find her silence to be charming, but with time, realize that she’s too quiet all the time and you want someone to talk to and listen to. It might be that you’re infatuated and you mistook it for love only to regret it after some time. Some men and women have trust issues and some find it difficult to share their lives with others.