OVER HALF OF WOMEN ARE NOW LIVING WITHOUT SPOUSE
For what experts say is probably the first time, more American women are living without a husband than with one, according to a New York Times analysis of census results.
* In 2005, 51 percent of women said they were living without a spouse, up from 35 percent in 1950 and 49 percent in 2000.
* In 2005 married couples became a minority of all American households for the first time.
The above is from the US National Center for Policy Analysis (sorry, links down again). In NZ the single person household is the fastest growing type. In 2006 51.5 people (15 years+) were never married or separated.
Of course there is more behind this than women simply rejecting men (or vice versa) although I seem to know truckloads who have. Now that females are no longer necessarily economically dependent on males it would appear many are staying out or getting out of marriages. The article cites women marrying later and living longer as factors. Low marriage rates amongst Blacks and Hispanics (and here, Maori) are also adding to the trend.
Perhaps this trend is merely a reflection of less permanence in our lives. In partnerships, jobs and homes. As one who values security I don't think it is a positive trend. But then I am probably just an old fuddy-duddy (a word I heard Richard Branson using the other day but have forgotten in what context.)
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3 comments:
This is about not having a husband not about living with men. They put single,"roommate" and "living with a man as if he were your husband but not married" in the same category.
The reports says 51% of women live in a relationship other than marriage. Not 51% of women chose to live single.
Sb
No, the report doesn't say "51% of women live in a relationship other than marriage". It simply states 51% are living without a spouse. They could be in a de facto relationship, or single and never married, or separated/divorced temporarily or permanently living apart.
But the trend towards single households, more predominant among women, indicates more people are choosing to live alone.
With the substantial growth in female single parent families this is not surprising. Once the children leave the mothers become women living alone.
& 'spouse' indicates marital status.
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