MM - Not Alone In Being Alone

It appears that MissMorals is not alone in being alone...

Marriage rates in England and Wales have plunged to their lowest rate since records began almost 150 years ago, according to the latest official figures.

[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23465208-details/Marriage+rates+hit+lowest+rate+since+records+began+almost+150+years+ago/article.do]<BR>
Only 20.5 women in every 1,000 aged 16 and over chose to get married, down from 21.9 in the previous year.

The rate was slightly higher for men, at 22.8 per 1,000 over 16 years old, down from 24.5.

Marriage rates have been falling steadily over the past few decades, apart from a two-year gap between 2002 and 2004 when they actually rose.

Since 1981, marriages that are the first for both parties have dropped by 37 per cent and re-marriages have fallen by a quarter.

In 2006, first marriages made up 61 per cent of all ceremonies while re-marriages accounted for 18 per cent.

The figures also reveal that the average age of someone getting married has increased since 1991 by five years for men and four-and-a-half years for women.

The average age of women getting married is now 33.7 years and 36.4 years for men, which represents a slight rise compared to 2005.

For first marriages, the average ages are lower and 31.8 years for men and 29.7 for women.

Civil ceremonies made up 66 per cent of all ceremonies in 2006, up one per cent on the previous year and almost 20 per cent higher than in 1990.

But the number of civil marriages actually fell by three per cent between 2005 and 2006, down to 157,490.

The popularity of religious ceremonies dropped by even more, down seven per cent to 79,490 - half the number of church marriages in 1991. They made up 34 per cent of all marriages in 2006.

More people than ever are choosing to get married in locations of their own choice.

Just over 95,300 marriages took place in "approved premises" in 2006, accounting for 40 per cent of all ceremonies and 60 per cent of civil marriages.

This was a rise of four per cent on 2005, and a massive 35 per cent rise since 1996.

Final marriage figures for 2005 were also released today, showing a nine per cent fall in marriages compared to 2004. The largest drop was in London (29 per cent) and the smallest was in the North East (three per cent).

It is thought a change in the law in February 2005, which was designed to discourage "sham marriages", contributed to the fall in ceremonies between 2005 and 2006.

Divorce rates also fell in 2005 to 13.1 divorces for every 1,000 married couples in England and Wales, a drop of eight per cent on the previous year.

Which begs the question: How independent are you, Roxi?? Are you stuck on your freedom, or would you let some man get sticky with you??

I agree..the children of the 80's are some of the most screwed up people I know. Mothers thought they could do it all...work full time plus raise the children. I am not saying it cant be done..but there is a price to pay somewhere. The breakdown of family structure sent everyone for a whirl..now I find it funny that a lot of my educated friends are wanting to stay w thier children. Another interesting point is BPD...they are saying the lack of structure gave some children mood disorders from having nothing to cling to...very interesting I thought.

Also because more and more couples here choose to live together instead..

"english men are amongst the most unattractive people in the entire world."
I agree with you there Roxi, in fact nearly all of my exs are foreign except for the one I was married to.

So because the marriage rate has gone down based on these statistics, I'd bet the divorce rate will also show a decline. Which means the pundits will take the 'glass half full' approach and say things are getting better for married families........

"the rate of marriages in england has plunged because english men are amongst the most unattractive people in the entire world"

Roxi, what is the deal with dentistry over there?

When I think about an English man I think of extremely pale with bad teeth. Is it not popular to get regular dental checkups and cleanings? It reminds me of THe Holy Grail, Monty Python..that is what I think of when I think of an Englishman.

"the rate of marriages in england has plunged because english men are amongst the most unattractive people in the entire world. who would want to marry one? oh fuck, i did didn't i, i forgot. but at least i saw the error of my ways."

hahahhahahahahhaha! it is because the women are so beautiful. there has to be a trade-off somewhere. that is the way of the universe.

Lyle Lovett is what I think of when I think of an English Guy..

Ha ha tradeoff.

I guess the founding fathers of England were fuGly? I dunno the way some Texans dress you will literally churn your stomach. They wear their wranglers so tight it gives a new name to boys not 'camel toe' but it looks SO uncomfortable. You can acutally see the outline of their 'junk'. They cannot breath. Its like a penis corset

marchgirl80: "Lyle Lovett is what I think of when I think of an English Guy.."

yeah, look at me 'innit. awiiiight? wanna treetrunk? oooooh let me check me bleedin' schedule." ::sound of churning machinery as she thinks::

ROFL!!!!!!!!! Roxi THAT is the funniest thing that has come out of your mouth!

SHe looks to me like our USA version of Tara Reid

LOL!..I return after a month to see a post from the Dysmesiter!...

I am not alone..I am nicely shacked up with my fishy boy...thank you..

But yep that stats are shocking..apparantly 5 years is the average time before the split occurs..The 5 year itch and then the 7 year itch..I broke up with my last one after 5 or was it 7..i think 7...if you get past 10 then your safe really....

I do love my independence, however if the right man comes along I can handle him in small doses...there comes a time when one requires a companion/sidekick..lol..And I am going to fully embrace that time...As long as you can do things on your own, still have that independent streak, I don't see a problem with it..

Missy: "As long as you can do things on your own, still have that independent streak, I don't see a problem with it.."

Neither do I. You just have to make sure that your significant other sees it that way, too!

FYI: I started to title this thread, Missy - You're Not Alone in Not Being Hitched!, but I liked the flow of this one better...

Anyway, you know us married folks wanna see everybody else married -- misery loves company!