The recession has impacted the state of marriage significantly in America, according to a survey conducted by Sociology Prof. W. Bradford Wilcox. The study and the resulting report, "The Great Recession and Marriage," was sponsored by the National Marriage Project at the University and analyzed how the recession affected the quality and stability of married life in the U.S.
The study was a national, representative online survey of 1,197 married Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Wilcox said the survey questions concerned the relationship between financial stress and marriage and commitment.
The study's findings show the recession both has strengthened and weakened marriages in America.
"The recession has had a double-edge impact on married couples," Wilcox said. For 29 percent of couples, the financial stresses of the recession and unemployment led to martial stress and divorce. Another 29 percent of couples reported the recession helped deepen their commitment to their marriages, and as caused them to consider divorce as less of an option.
"When people are faced with some kind of trauma or difficulty, some folks tend to respond by spiraling downwards, while others tend to respond by becoming stronger," Wilcox said. "What we are showing is the recession has actually strengthened some marriages."
Thirty-eight percent of survey respondents said the recession led them to put off plans of divorce or separation and helped them work harder to save their marriage.
"Some of that group has actually taken the recession as a chance to sort of think again and reconsider the commitment they have to their spouse and family," Wilcox said.
The study also found marriages between college-educated spouses are doing better in a variety of marriage outcomes than other couples since the 1970s.
"U.Va. students can take some comfort that the odds of divorce for them are lower than for their parents," Wilcox said. The bad news, Wilcox said, is Americans who do not have college degrees are doing worse in a variety of marriage outcomes. He suggested supporting job opportunities for "working-class and poor Americans" to strengthen their marriages and family life.
Ironically, as the economy improves there may be a slight uptake in divorce because the value of homes will improve, Wilcox said.
"Once that happens, [couples] will probably want to get a divorce," he said.
The survey was conducted in connection with National Marriage Week USA, which ran from Feb. 7 to 14, the week leading up to Valentine's Day. The annual event started in the U.K. in 1996 and has spread to 13 countries. This is the second National Marriage Week USA, and hundreds of events took place across the country.
"Our goal is to elevate marriage as a national concern and benefit, and provide a clearinghouse for marriage education and conferences all across the country for people to get help or to help others," Sheila Weber, executive director of National Marriage Week USA, said.
Weber said divorce and unwed childbearing, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of all American babies, costs taxpayers at least $112 billion per year.
"We need to strengthen marriage, because it is good for the economy and good for individuals," Weber said. Research shows that marriage increases individuals' personal wealth and financial stability, she added. They live longer lives and are happier and healthier, she said. Weber said children raised by both parents do better in school, have less teen pregnancy and have fewer issues with addiction.
Wilcox said one of the factors that most negatively affects married couples is financial stress. In the face of anxiety, those with support systems such as religious institutions and friendships succeed because they find "ways to weather the economic storm that we are moving through," he said.
Read More
U.Va. researchers identify that HIV drugs can protect against Alzheimer’s disease
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 days agoDoctor Jayakrishna Ambati and his research team have begun work on a new drug called K9 which could treat and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Graduating students share their future plans as they enter the job market
By Nina Broderick | 3 days agoMany students find the Career Center to be a valuable tool during the job search and application process.
U.Va.’s Finals Weekend spotlights the achievement and service of the Class of 2025
By Leigh Bailey | 5 days agoIn University President Jim Ryan’s welcome address, he acknowledged the support of family members and friends present in the audience and beyond that played supportive roles in these graduates’ lives.
