“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:9
Leading sociologist, Brad Wilcox from the University of Virginia, and Alan Hawkins, who is a family studies scholar at Brigham Young University, recently released a new academic report finding an interesting paradox with marriage in America today. Unsurprisingly, the report found that marriage rates in the U.S. continue to decline.
Since 1970, the marriage rate in America has fallen by nearly 65%. In the U.S. today, only about 50% of adults are married which is down 72% since 1960. About these facts, the scholars stated, “The bottom line is that marriage is much less likely to ground and guide the lives of American adults than it once was.”
Although the marriage rates in America continue to decline, the social sciences reveal an overwhelming amount of evidence for the strong and robust benefits of marriage. The report found increasing benefits of marriage for children and adults.
The benefits for children raised under a parental marriage are multifaceted. For example, the scholars write, “we know that children are more likely to suffer negative outcomes like poverty, depression, and incarceration when raised outside of an intact, married family.” The benefits for adults engaged in an intact marriage are also numerous. The scholars say, “men and women who are married are markedly better off financially, physically, and emotionally than their peers who are not.”
The U.S. marriage paradox comes from the reality that marriage rates continue to decline, but the benefits of marriage are as strong as ever. God is the One who created marriage, and He created that lifelong relationship for our good. The reality is no matter how low marriage rates drop, the blessings of God that come from marriage will always be present and be as strong as ever.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we pray that our nation will collectively honor and respect the institution of marriage that You created. We ask that You supernaturally strengthen marriages all across Kentucky and America. Lord, help our judges, legislators, governing authorities, and all citizens to uphold Your view of marriage and not devalue it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
