The waiting..
Yesterday, a co-worker commented on how much she hates dating nowadays. We laughed but I agreed. Dating in your mid to late twenties is so different than when you are 18. We aren’t dating just to have fun, now we are looking for that someone to make a commitment too. And since we know what we like, dislike and can put up with, we are pickier. But we aren’t alone.
The Census bureau study says that Americans are waiting longer to get married. The average age for guys is just over 26 and women 25. Apparently people on either coast wait longer to get married than those in Middle America (that term always makes me laugh). And apparently, more unmarried couples in Maine cohabit together than anywhere else. (Aren’t you glad I moved, Mom?)
They are saying the delay is partially due to education, while earlier marriage age could be tied to religion. I am not positive where Detroit falls in the mix, but I’d guess it would be near the middle. I have a lot of peers married or engaged right now and just as many singles.
It is just another example of where life continues to change..
Hmmmm sounds like a certain someone is trying to rationalize with her (or his) parents why she (or maybe he) isn’t hitched…
In Italy there is a term: “Mammoni” which means loosely, Mommas-Boys who live at home with their parents into their 30’s and even after they’re married they live in the adjoining apartment!
The mammoni enjoys Mom’s home cooking, laundry services, bed making services, and motherly wisdom doled out every 2 minutes!
Yes, but I don’t live at home and haven’t for years… I am not married because I haven’t found the right guy yet.
…all the WRONG guys are buried in the basement!
You’re certainly not alone, MGAL. Maps representing 2000 census data are available here:
http://www.socialexplorer.com/
It would appear that around 50% of Detroit has never been married.
(see us married people in Hamtramck?)
Thank God she doesn’t live at home because she would be waiting on her mom and doing all the laundry. This mom doesn’t believe in coddling. Cohabitate? Excuse not to pay for a marriage license and make a commitment. Maybe it is those long winters and cabin fever.