Why are marriage rates declining?

Because of people like you

Our generation is fucked in the head.

Well, this is actually pretty simple. A lot of the older guys have gotten screwed over in marriage and then in the divorce and they have said no more for them. A lot of younger men have witnessed the divorces and subsequent problems and decided to avoid all the trouble.

The internet has made it easier for us to share the average persons thoughts and opinions and experiences via things like YouTube.com as well as other platforms. So the word has gotten out regarding many of the things that happen to men in marriage and then in divorce, thus leading many men of all ages to say no way.

Common sense has come into play. As Bill Burr said, if you were going to skydive and they told you that you have the same odds of harm/success from skydiving as you do of having a successful and happy marriage for life with a female, you would almost certainly refuse to skydive and you would expect them to outlaw skydiving within a week. Also think of the stock market. Marriage is a huge risk for most men and in most cases there is simply not enough reward to even think of taking the risks.

Now has has this come about? Well, two ways. Women will band together and work as a unit for what they want. They did so and got many changes made to the laws which gave women a better legal footing in divorce. Men have failed to work together for the own self interests. Next, given how the legal system is and how society always wants to give the female the benefit of the doubt, women basically are now allowed to get by with murder and still make out well and women KNOW IT. So they basically have little reason to care how they act or to act properly or well in marriage. Plus the females nature is to take care of herself and her own interests and to use whomever/whatever they must to give themselves the best chance or outcome. Face it, they can afford to act differently after marriage because they know they have the legal advantages regardless of how they treat you.

Lastly, ask yourself what most women you have ever known would actually add to your life which you think is all that valuable to you. A lot of women expect to be catered to, they refuse to do much around the house, that is if they even know how to do so and they often expect you to do for yourself while still having the extra expense of having them in your life. Why bother? Again, if you think about the women you know, listen to women, think about the things that have taken place with them, just what do they add to your life that you do not or cannot do yourself? Sex? Oh, a lot of married men have realized that thing slams shut tight the moment she knows she has you legally over a barrel and she knows you cannot do anything about it. You will never get enough sex to get your money's worth when you consider what she costs you, not just monetarily but in so many other ways.

Times have changed, i guess.

Lots of people weren't getting married 30 years ago. Tons of shacking up and breaking up and moving on to the next romance. That dates back to about 45 years ago as an ever-growing common thing. Parents didn't like it. Kids started doing it. Mom and Dad were mad.

The fact is that people are still getting married. Churches are booked. Wedding shops are doing good business. Venues charge an arm and a leg for 3-5 hour gigs and get their price.

Divorce rates are down.

Mainly because people live together first and then they think why change it. I am from the older generation and married a long time ago but after 20 years we divorced and if I could go back in time I would have stayed single

Multiple reasons like the one Jay mentions. There is another economic piece, have the kids and live together single like that, an one can receive some benefits from the state. It has also become more acceptable to have a child out of wedlock, to raise them as a single parent. Why commit when you get the milk for free so to speak.

as a women and being wiser than most I know how men are. So would never consider it no matter how prince charming he may be, its always an act. Let's pretend to be what the other person wants until it becomes boring than lets cheat and destroy one another's spirit and hearts (most ppl don't have one thou). So my answer is because men are just to selfish and lie too much.