A new study from Iowa State University reveals how education affects marriage rates and stability. Learn what researchers discovered about the changing dynamics of matrimony in modern America.
A recent study by Iowa State University researchers has unveiled intriguing insights into how education levels influence marriage trends in the United States. As national education rates rise, American marriage rates are concurrently falling, showing that a college degree impacts not just career paths but also personal life choices.
“In our research, we found that education changes more than just a person’s resume — it also shifts their opportunities, timelines and expectations,” co-author John V. Winters, a professor of economics at Iowa State University, said in a news release.
In partnership with Kunwon Ahn, an associate research fellow at the Korea Labor Institute and an Iowa State doctoral graduate in economics, Winters delved into a substantial dataset ranging from 2006 to 2019 to parse out the complexities surrounding education and marriage.
Trends and Findings
The researchers focused on a vast sample of over 8 million people from the American Community Survey, incorporating variables like birthplace, birth year and self-reported ancestry.
They employed a unique approach by using the educational attainment of subjects’ mothers as a proxy to avoid individual variances that could cloud the results.
The study, published in the journal Education Economics, brought several critical findings to light:
- Education and Delayed Marriage: An additional year of education decreases the likelihood of being married between ages 25 to 34 by about four percentage points.
- Marriage Stability: For individuals aged 45 to 54, education significantly reduces the risk of divorce or separation, hinting at more stable marriages among higher-educated cohorts.
- Lifelong Singlehood: Additional education appears to slightly increase the probability of never having married by the age of 45 to 54.
“From expanding career opportunities to increasing independence, education reshapes what we look for in a partner, as well as when we’re ready to commit and whether we want to marry at all,” Winters added.
Economic and Social Implications
The research also points to the broader economic and social implications of these trends.
Before 1970, over 80% of Americans aged 25 to 34 were married, but by 2023, the number had plummeted to 38%, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The concurrent rise in Americans obtaining college degrees hasn’t made marriage more attainable; rather, it has often delayed it.
“A 2016 study found that the more college debt someone had, the less likely they were to ever get married,” added Winters.
Interestingly, the study also highlights that education reduces the traditional economic benefits of marriage, especially among lower-income groups, against a backdrop of declining job prospects for lower-income men and improving employment opportunities for women.
The Bigger Picture
Declining marriage rates have significant effects on individuals, families and societies. These changes affect everything from child-rearing to economic stability within the family unit.
While education is a substantial factor, other cultural, social, economic and technological changes also play roles.
“Many people value the institution of marriage for its sake, while others assign it importance based on religious, cultural and social values,” Winters added. “Economically, marriage has important consequences for children, including how many people children have and the resources that they can invest in those children.”
Uncharted territory, such as the influence of smart technology and social media on social behavior and marriage rates, poses potential areas for future research.
“We stay in more, go out less and are increasingly divided — all of which could make people less likely to marry,” added Winters. “The opportunities for future research related to marriage rates will continue to evolve with us.”
Source: Iowa State University