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I just did some research on 21st century marriage in America for one of my classes. I actually found it incredibly interesting and thought provoking. According to the US Census Bureau 30% of males and 24% females never get married. 56% of males and 52% of females get married but then separate. Since 1970 marriage rates have fallen but 1/3. So what has shifted, why such a dramatic change? In the past, marriage was primarily a business deal. For rich folks it solidified political alliances and for the poor it was about managing a farm or a household. Now people have become so economically self-suficent that having a spouse isn't really necessary. I always hear people talk about how sad it is that divorce is so acceptable and almost expected now-a-days. And how marriage and "the family" in a traditional sense are dead. I find this all very interesting but don't really see it as a bad thing. If we no longer feel obligated to "settle down" doesn't that leave the door open to actually finding love? If you no longer need to do something, you are then able to do it because you want to. I think we now have access to all the materials of building a marriage or even a relationship for all the right reasons, like love and companionship. And how could that be a bad thing?