relationship between women and marriage. Economic factors, a rise in

feminism, parents' influence, attitudes about sex, educational

pursuits, and divorce statistics are discussed and their influence on

women's attitudes toward marriage are explored. Cultural changes that

have impacted women's lives are also examined. The purpose of the

paper is to explore the changes affecting women, their attitudes

toward marriage, and their expectations of marriage. This paper will

primarily concentrate on the question of why women delay marriage. The

sources used to develop this paper are published journals, the text

for this course along with other books related to this issue, and the

The Changing Relationship Between Women and Marriage

Over the past four decades there has been substantial changes

in the attitudes toward marriage among women in the United States.

These attitudes relate to gender roles and social changes in today's

society and have contributed to women marrying later than their

ancestors married. Studies show American women are waiting longer

that they will increase the well being of children. The belief that

want more than just a "job", and therefore, actively pursue a

The decline in the ideal of marital permanence - one of the

Chollar, S. (1993). Happy families. American Health,

54.3% to 70.5% and in 1979 were only 4.8% lower than the percentage

widely accepted" (Unger & Crawford, pg. 364). While it is true the

women, especially those who are well educated (Becker). "Even though

its emphasis on the importance of self fulfillment as opposed to the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Unger Crawford, Allen Kalish, McLaughlin Gottman, Elder College, According Everett, McLaughlin Koontz, Kalish Men's, Kalish Acknowledging, Marriage Abstract, Crawford Women, allen kalish, unger crawford, women marriage, married women, attitudes marriage, influence woman's, labor force, marriage women, educational attainment, women marry, unger crawford pg, sense self worth, late marrying women, attitudes marriage women, educational pursuits divorce,
Approximate Word count = 3912
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)