I'll marry you ... when you get a job

We’ve written about how the recession has caused some to delay having kids and others to put off getting divorced. So it should come as no surprise that unemployment – a major factor in the current economic doldrums - also would play a role in whether people get married.

Two websites, yourtango.com and Forbes Woman, recently polled 625 of their readers and found that 75 percent of them would not marry a man who was unemployed.

The good news for lovelorn guys: Many of these women also appeared to be holding themselves to the same standard. The websites said 65 percent of the women surveyed also wouldn’t get married if they themselves were unemployed.

Although the reader survey may not reflect all women’s attitudes toward marriage, it fits with recent trends toward delaying major life events because of the long recession and weak recovery.

Last fall, U.S. Census researchers speculated that more people may be shacking up because of the high unemployment rate.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control has reported a decline in the marriage rate between 2004 and 2009, the most recent data available.

Those who are putting off tying the knot may end up waiting a while. The unemployment rate stood at 9.1 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the median duration of unemployment was a hefty 22 weeks. 

People.com
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Why get married when your partner can collect their share of "entitlements" from the governent? You forfeit these once you tie the knot. What a crazy country we live in... isn't it? We are given the incentive to refrain from marriage.

    Reply#1 - Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:32 PM EDT

    Yep and the 20 and 30 generation are having kids and doing just that. No racial slur...it is a generation thing. They think it is just fine.

      #1.1 - Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:51 AM EDT
      Reply

      Not at all shocking on some of the female responses. I would guess that most of them are over 30 and have already failed in at least one marriage and likely have a couple of kids in tow. There are tons of these superficial skanks out there, looking for a paycheck to help offset their jacked up credit card debt and to pay for little Caitlin and Matt's activities from their previous marriage(s). That's fine. You may not marry a dude that doesn't have a job, but I won't marry a bloated, loud middle-aged skank who doesn't have a well-paying career of her own, who is too stupid to manage her money and spends thousands trying (and failing) to look half her age and wanting a sugar daddy to pay her credit card bills, and who's wrinkled face, droopy boobs and cottage cheese a$$ make me thank GOD that I have football to watch instead.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#2 - Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:32 AM EDT

      what is wrong with only 1 person working? Part of the problem today is that everyone thinks both have to work. At 34 yrs old and we have 4 kids, I work while my wife takes care of the children. Life is not easy, but at least the kids have one parent always home with them.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#3 - Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:52 AM EDT
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