Generations disagree on marital commitment

GETTING MARRIED is far less a sign of commitment for the younger generation than it is for older people, according to a new report from relationship charities including Catholic Marriage Care.

A survey of more than 6,000 people across the UK, commissioned by the charities, found that getting married remains a sign of commitment to people in all age groups – but for the younger group, it is seen as less significant.  Among the over-65s, 35 per cent of people questioned thought getting married was the most important sign of commitment – but for those aged 16-24, the proportion fell to just 12 per cent.

But Bridie Collins of Marriage Care pointed out that it was unclear whether the differences indicated generational changes in attitudes, or were the result of the different life expectations of the respondents. “These days young people aged 16-24 are not in the marrying age group – and it may be that they will be more likely to consider marriage as an important stage of commitment later on,” she said.

The survey also asked people about their attitudes to sex, and nearly two thirds (62 per cent) said a good sex life was important to them. But 35 per cent said a good sex life was not important, and 8 per cent said they had never had a sexual partner.

The report, entitled The Way We Are Now, was compiled by Marriage Care, Relate and Relationships Scotland, and aimed to give insights into the state of the nation’s relationships. Across the board, says the report, the indications are positive: 87 per cent of couples are happy with their relationships, 71 per cent of people enjoy good relationships with their colleagues, and nine in 10 people report having close friends. 

When it comes to what people think are the most important factors in a relationship, sex life and physical attraction come out surprisingly low compared with honesty, communication and commitment. Across all age groups only three in 10 people – 32 per cent – ranked “sex life/physical attraction” in their top three; and even among the youngest group, 16-24, only 45 per cent put it in their top three. 

On family life, the survey found that a quarter of respondents (24 per cent) had experienced the breakup of their parents’ relationship. Where parents are together, 78 per cent said they had a good relationship with their mother and 72 per cent with their father; but where parents were apart those figures fell to 71 per cent for mothers and 57 per cent for fathers.