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Marriage is on the Decline, But Why?
From Manhattan Declaration
November 17th, 2011
A recent USA Today article shows that marriage is in serious decline. Just 50 years ago three quarters of Americans were married. Today those numbers have dropped to half. A survey done by Pew Research Center revealed that "marriage is becoming obsolete"
The writer of the USA Today article says that part of the decline in marriage can be linked to weddings performed by non-clergy: "I don't have a one-size-fits-all fix, but I do know that just as with a building, little is more important than its foundation. So a marriage's starting point - the wedding day - should be more than just cake and cocktails."
Indeed, a survey done by TheKnot.com and the WeddingChannel.com revealed that one in three of those who used their website had used a family or a friend to officiate their ceremony. The USA Today writer points out that clergy-less wedding ceremonies lack the necessary emphasis on the covenantal relationship between husband and wife.
Of course, the decline of the marriage culture has serious societal ramifications. Studies show that children in married family households are less likely to live in poverty than children in single-parent homes. A 2010 Census showed that almost 40% of single-parent homes were under the poverty line. In fact, the state of Indiana links a major cause of the state's poverty to the breakdown of marriage. In Indiana alone, the percentage of unwed births went from 5% in 1960 to approximately 44% today. That increase is staggering. To learn more, visit Heritage.org
The evidence is clear: As Manhattan Declaration signers, we have much to do to restore a healthy marriage culture in our country. Please visit ManhattanDeclaration.org to get all your up-to-date news on the sanctity of life, dignity of marriage and religious liberty. And join us at our blog. Also, discuss the Manhattan Declaration with your friends, ask them if they have signed it, explain to them the importance behind these critical moral issues.
It's up to us, every one of us, to vigorously defend life, marriage, and religious liberty.
God bless you.
The Manhattan Declaration
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The Manhattan Declaration is a non-partisan statement of conscience in defense of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom.
