A split image showing a thoughtful teenage girl on one side looking away from a simple wedding ring, and a thoughtful teenage boy on the other side looking towards it, in a simple, clean style.
A split image showing a thoughtful teenage girl on one side looking away from a simple wedding ring, and a thoughtful teenage boy on the other side looking towards it, in a simple, clean style.

Girls Are Now Less Likely Than Boys to Say They Want to Get Married

Recent studies indicate a notable shift in attitudes toward marriage among U.S. high school seniors, with girls now less likely than boys to express a desire to marry someday. According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center and the University of Michigan, 67% of 12th graders said they are likely to get married in the future, a decrease from 80% in 1993. This decline is primarily driven by changing perspectives among girls.

In 1993, 83% of girls expressed a desire to marry, compared to 76% of boys. By 2023, these figures shifted to 61% for girls and 74% for boys, marking the first time boys have surpassed girls in expressing a desire for marriage.

This trend reflects broader societal changes, including evolving gender roles and increased emphasis on career aspirations among young women. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 86% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 prioritize having a job or career they enjoy, while only 36% consider getting married important, and 30% value having children.

Additionally, among young adults aged 18 to 34 without children, 57% of men express a desire to have children someday, compared to 45% of women.

These findings suggest a significant shift in traditional gender expectations regarding marriage and family, with young women increasingly prioritizing personal and professional goals over traditional family structures.

The prompt for this was: Girls are now less likely than boys to say they want to get married

Visit BotAdmins for done for you business solutions.