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Following the third National Marriage Week, held in February, KEVIN GOTTS takes a look at the changing state of the institution of marriage.
Visit any newsagents and take a look at the shelves and you are sure to see a fine array of magazines devoted to brides and weddings. Many of us have rushed off to the city before now to buy a new suit or outfit as part of our response to the forthcoming wedding of a relative or friend. The warmer weather seems to herald the wedding season. I would love to continue along this pleasant theme. However, Chris Shaw, a prominent Government actuary has recently released headline-grabbing statistics about marriage. Those who are unmarried will soon outnumber married people. Surprisingly this is not being brought about by the high levels of divorce, but by the increasing numbers of men and women who are choosing never to marry at all. For the first time since census records began in 1801, it is predicted that by 2011 the combined number of those living together, divorced, widowed or never married will outnumber married adults. Let's dig deeper into Mr Shaw's statistics. Currently 55% of adults are married. This figure will drop to 48% by 2011 and further still to 45% by 2020. | Breaking these figures down further, we see that the number of men who choose not to marry will rise from 32% to 39% in 2011 (41% by 2020), with the trend for women rising from 24% to 31% by 2011 (33% by 2020). The most stunning figures are that half of all men aged between 30 and 44 will have remained single by 2021. While Mr Shaw expects the number of people living together to rise, he feels that this will not compensate for the fall in married couples. As such it is likely that there will be significantly more adults living alone. He says: "The assumption is that the marriage rate will continue to decline, but in the long term this fall will level off." What then are the implications for society? These figures help assess future housing and welfare needs and perhaps more importantly influence and so help set the social climate. More houses will be required, as single people want their own home. As marriages break down a larger number of single women with children are forced onto state benefits. While the Government stated last year that "marriage is a strong foundation for stability", these trends away from marriage could either encourage an amendment in the tax structure to help reverse this change, or indeed move to a focus on parenthood, irrespective of marriage status. |
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National Marriage Week celebrated its third birthday in February. Inspired by Marriage Resource (the national Christian marriage organisation), many churches countrywide were busy throughout the week leading to Valentine's Day, running practical seminars and working with the media to promote the value and importance of marriage.
Locally, Marriage Resource Norfolk (MRN), encourages and helps churches to run Marriage Preparation courses and services; Marriage Enrichment courses (weekends for couples with good marriages who want to make them even better) and Marriage Counselling for those whose marriages have run into difficulties. |
MRN can be contacted at the MRN Counselling Centre, 70 Catton Grove Road, Norwich, or contact co-ordinator Karen Joyce on 01603 427777. Resources, including a new video The Sixty Minute Marriage can be obtained from John Pilling (01603 400041).
For general enquiries or if readers are interested in helping please call Dudley Bourhill on 01603 454671. Another source of marriage help and support is available from Marriage Care. The main contacts are Mary Edmonds on 01692 580712 and Pamela Corbould on 01692 598654. |
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