Marriage Rates in Georgia Are Down. But Marriage Still Matters For Quality of Life and Upward Mobility.
Key Points
- Georgia has seen a decline in marriage rates, mirroring a national trend. Only 30% of Georgians have been married at least once, and U.S. marriage rates have fallen by nearly 60% over the past 50 years.
- Despite these trends, marriage remains a significant predictor of adult well-being, more so than education, race, age or gender. Married individuals often report higher happiness and satisfaction levels, and benefits include emotional stability, financial security, and social support.
- We must address economic, education, and social safety-net barriers to marriage while creating a supporting environment that fosters marriage and family formation.
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Recent reports, including a piece from Axios, have highlighted a concerning trend in Georgia—declining marriage rates.
According to data from the American Community Survey, only 30% of Georgians have been married at least once in their lives. This is indicative of a larger national trend: The marriage rate across the U.S. has fallen by nearly 60% over the past 50 years.
While societal pressures to marry have lessened and many young people doubt the benefits of marriage, this decline raises important questions about the impact on individual well-being and societal mobility.
Marriage rates in Georgia are a leading factor in quality of life
Helping people form healthy, committed relationships is a key pillar of the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s mission to help all Georgians flourish. Relationships are essential to well-being in general, but marriage has a particular impact on the quality of life and upward mobility for men, women, and children.
Quality of life
Marital status is one of the strongest predictors of adult well-being, surpassing other factors like education, race, age, and gender. According to the Institute for Family Studies and Gallup, married individuals often report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction compared to their unmarried peers. This isn’t just about companionship—marriage can provide emotional stability, financial security, and social support, all of which contribute to a better quality of life.
Upward mobility
Marriage also plays a critical role in economic mobility. Couples often benefit from dual incomes, shared resources, and consolidated expenses, making it easier to save and invest in the future. This financial stability can lead to better opportunities in terms of education, homeownership, and overall wealth accumulation. Essentially, marriage can act as a catalyst for achieving a higher economic status and breaking free from cycles of poverty.
Benefits for children
Children raised in two-parent, married families often experience greater stability and economic advantages, contributing significantly to their overall well-being. Additional research from the Institute for Family Studies shows that children who live in households with married parents experience more financially secure environments, less conflict, and more parental support.
According to polling from Gallup, married people report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. This is another indicator of how essential relationships are for personal well-being and quality of life.
According to polling from Gallup, married people report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. This is another indicator of how essential relationships are for personal well-being and quality of life.
Certain barriers in Georgia make marriage and its benefits hard to pursue
Despite marriage’s benefits, Georgia has several barriers that discourage marriage as a path to fulfilling relationships and flourishing lives. Educational challenges and a social safety net that frequently discourages marriage are a couple of significant roadblocks that can make it harder for people to pursue marriage.
Educational challenges
Educational attainment is another significant barrier. Those with higher levels of education are more likely to marry, but educational opportunities are not evenly distributed across the state. Addressing these disparities could encourage higher marriage rates and, consequently, greater upward mobility.
A social safety net that punishes marriage
Another significant barrier to marriage in Georgia is the “marriage penalty” embedded within many social safety net programs. The term refers to the phenomenon where low-income individuals or couples may actually lose financial benefits by getting married.
Programs such as Medicaid, housing assistance, and food stamps often have income thresholds that discourage marriage. When two low-income individuals marry, their combined income might exceed these thresholds, leading to a reduction or complete loss of benefits—creating a “benefits cliff.”
This financial disincentive can make marriage less appealing for low-income individuals who rely on these crucial programs to make ends meet. By losing access to necessary support, the economic stability that marriage can potentially offer is compromised, perpetuating a cycle where the cons outweigh the pros.
Addressing these safety-net barriers is essential for fostering an environment where marriage can thrive and contribute positively to individual and societal well-being.
The way forward
While the decline in marriage rates in Georgia is a complex issue influenced by various societal and economic factors, it’s essential to recognize the underlying benefits of marriage. Beyond the romantic ideals, marriage plays a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life and facilitating upward mobility.
To counteract the downward trend, it’s necessary to address the barriers that discourage marriage and create a more supportive environment for couples.