Millennials are marrying later in life than past generations, and they are also marrying more diverse partners. Their perspective on marriage will certainly contribute to changes in the institution of marriage over the next decade. Marital differences between older and younger generations may surprise you!
Marriage has evolved much from the days of our parents and grandparents, and you don’t have to be a relationship specialist to see this.
The concept of love and marriage has taken on a whole new meaning for the millennial generation. For decades, the marriage system has been plagued by gender stereotypes that have been thrown out the window in favor of equal rights for all genders and those who identify as non-binary.
It’s reasonable to say that, we, millennials have developed our own definition of marriage and, it seems to be working for us. There’s always room to get better, though, right?
As a relationship specialist and registered premarital course presenter, Dr. Jacqueline Del Rosario asserts that millennials prefer 50/50 partnerships over the more traditional 50/50 arrangements. To be a woman in my generation means being responsible for the kitchen and the housework. In contrast, the normal gender roles of today’s millennials have altered to the point where males are just as likely to cook, clean, and take paternity leave.
7 Marital Differences that may shock you!
1. The Evolution of the Marriage Relationship
Marital relationships have existed since biblical times, predating any of our family by a long shot. However, the most significant developments occurred during the 1960s feminist movement.
According to Lisa Bahar of Marriage and Family Therapy, Inc., this period of time provided the groundwork for the contemporary marriage to launch into what it has become today, altering day by day in how individuals mate, marry & create families. This has resulted in a transformation in the roles of women and men in the workforce, as well as a rethinking of gender norms and expectations.
Marital roles are being completely restructured in our post-pandemic environment. The burden of raising a child is now on both parents, even if they are still employed and working from home.
This equitable balance between partners in a marriage might be embraced or resisted because of stress, which affects everyone in the family.
2. A Millennial's Perspective on Marriage
Many people are unaware of how fortunate they are to be in a modern marriage, despite the fact that marriage today is very different from the marriages of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and beyond. Here are some examples of how marriage in the millennial generation differs from that of previous generations.
3. Possibility of giving birth out of wedlock.
The term “having a child out of wedlock” is no longer used. Then again, it’s happening more frequently than ever before in the modern world. As stated by the CDC, 40.3% of American women who gave birth in 2015 were single. In 1974, just 13.2% of the women who gave birth were unmarried.
Paulette Sherman, a psychologist, relationship counselor, and the host of The Love Psychologist podcast, says that couples are coming to terms with the fact that a piece of paper does not define whether or not they should or can move forward in their relationship.
4. You can get married and have children later in life.
It has also altered dramatically when couples decide to have children. In order to enjoy their marriage without the burden and distraction of childrearing, many couples are delaying starting a family. When it comes to the relationship as a whole, this can be a huge asset. Parents-to-be can face a lot of stress during the transition to parenthood, according to studies.
When you decide to start a family, you’ll likely have a more solid foundation in your career. According to Dr. Sherman, this can alleviate some of the pressures that come with being a first-time parent. As a result, she points out that you may be more likely to share the responsibility of raising and caring for your children.
5. You're a Better Fit for the World of Business
In many millennial marriages, the woman is often the primary breadwinner. But, this was unheard of just 60 years ago. In 1960, 3.8% of women earned more money than their husbands. Currently, 30% of women do so. Couples are more likely now than ever before to both work and contribute to the home income, thanks to the increased economic opportunity for women.
6. Ethnic diversity is more common among you.
It’s a sad fact of our recent past that interracial couples were not only discouraged but also stigmatized. It wasn’t until the Loving v. Virginia trial in 1967 that miscegenation laws, which prohibited interracial marriage in the United States, were overturned. As Dr. Sherman explains, “couples now have numerous weddings to honor their various cultural backgrounds, and they must learn about and appreciate each other’s traditions, customs, and backgrounds.”
7. Now, the question is: How to Make Your Millennial Relationship Work?
As we can see, millennial marriages are vastly superior to couples of the past in terms of equality, justice, and overall contentment. For millennials, the added pressure of both partners working full-time is an unwelcome but necessary development.
A successful millennial marriage requires both couples working to respect their differences, learning how to communicate, and sharing duties, according to Dr. Sherman’s recommendations. As she puts it, instead of relapsing into traditional gender norms, you can discuss your talents or preferences as individuals and share work. In order to be well-rounded, you and your partner need to be able to collaborate both at work and at home.
Aside from these two points, couples should go beyond the surface of their relationships and marriage. Consider your partner’s traumas, their defense systems, and their triggering events instead of ignoring them. Take a look at their past and how they were brought up. Even if the waves of life get choppy, this information will help you manage them. If you want to communicate more effectively, compromise, and prevent entanglements; this can be a great tool.
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