NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Love is in the air on Valentine's Day, and it has a lot of people pondering the thought of marriage, but research shows marriage may becoming a thing of the past.
According to a Pew Research Center nationwide survey entitled "The Decline of Marriage and Rise of New Families," many Americans believe there is no need to get married, and 40% believe marriage is becoming obsolete.
On Monday, Nashville's News 2 talked to students at Lipscomb University who celebrated Valentine's Day with the usual cards, candy and flowers.
"I have class tonight, so does my girlfriend. So I'm sneaking these flowers and perfume in her room right now," Jared Abelson told Nashville's News 2.
Abelson drove over from Belmont University to bring his sweetie a gift. He's been dating his girlfriend for three years, but doesn't plan to get married anytime soon.
"We'll see. I'm working on my Masters, so maybe when that is over. But we'll see," said Abelson.
Studies show attitudes toward marriage are changing, especially among young people.
"I think marriage is a scary word for people my age," said student Anna Morris, "just because divorce rates are so high. There are so many people my age who are scared of commitment."
According to the study, long-term dating is a more appealing option for some people.
"I think generally, it is skepticism," said Dr. John Conger, the executive director of the Nashville Healthy Marriage Network. "I think a lot of young people have come out of not very pleasant marriage experiences with their own parents, so a lot of them are reluctant and some are afraid of marriage."
About 52% of Americans were married in 2008, down from 72% in 1960.
Researchers found that not only has marriage declined, but cohabitation, or unmarried partners living together, has become more widespread, nearly doubling since 1990.
Dr. Conger conducted an informal survey of his sociology students and found while they are tolerant of non-traditional relationships, it's not what they want for their own lives.
"They're more conservative and more hopeful and desire marriage," Dr. Conger said.
Those who do get married are waiting longer.
In 2008, just 26% of people in their 20's were married, compared to 68% in 1960.
Now, the average age for making it official is 27 for women and 29 for men.
Anna Morris told Nashville's News 2 she isn't ready to walk down the aisle, but she's not ruling it out.
"I still believe it can happen. I still believe it can work," said Morris.
According to the study, more people also now hold the belief that sex outside of marriage is not wrong, and that more single women having children isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Read more findings of the November 2010 study at pewresearch.org.
A nationwide survey shows 40% of Americans believe marriage is becoming obsolete.
More people wait until their late 20's to get married now.
