Why do people get married? | LoveToKnow (2024)

Seven reasons why couples get married

Every couple has different reasons for getting married that apply to their unique relationship, and many couples share similar reasons for planning the long walk down the aisle. Whether a couple's reasons are emotional, legal, financial, or a combination of these, recognizing why marriage is important can help themunderstand the stakesthey have to do with their long-term relationship.

Most people marry for love

For many couples, emotional reasons are the most obvious reason to walk down the aisle. According toPew Research Center88% of the general public report that love is the main reason they chose to tie the knot. This is the main reason given by respondents.

Some marry for financial benefits

Getting married can be very practical for financial reasons. Actually according toAmerican news and world reportCohabiting but not married couples represent only 61% of married couples' income. Financial benefits of marriage can include:

• A married couple can benefit from tax relief related to marriage.
• The legal bond of marriage can provide financial security if the couple chooses to have children.
• Couples can enjoy financial benefits from itcommon property, inheritance, retirement accounts and other financial matters.

People can get married to get health insurance

Health insurance is another motivator for some who choose to get married. Sharing health insurance for couples and families can be very cost-effective and may lead some to switch paths. ThatCenter for Disease Control and Preventionreport that married adults between the ages of 18 and 64 were much more likely to be insured than their unmarried counterparts. According to the CDC survey, 74.5% of insured married couples had private insurance, often through an employer.

41% of couples marry to have children

The Pew Research Center study also suggests that having and raising children can be a motivation for people to make lifelong commitments. According to the survey, 41% of respondents cited having children as the main reason for getting married.The Report on the Future of Childrenfrom Princeton University suggests that children born into a household with married parents receive many benefits from marriage, including the following:

• More time with parents
• Higher income for the household
• More access to health insurance
• More stable home environment
• Better parental controls

Of course, these benefits only apply when children are born into a healthy, stable family environment. Being married does not guarantee that children will benefit from the parents' relationship.

23% of couples marry for legal reasons

According to the Pew Research Center, legal reasons are also a major motivator for commitment in 23% of marriages.

• When a couple is legally married, they can invoke hospital visitation rights and health care provider decisions with fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
• Parental and property rights are also legally easier to manage when a couple is married, including things like sick leave, dependents and home ownership.
• In some cases, citizenship can also play a role in the decision to marry.

Nearly a third of couples marry for religious reasons

According to the Pew Research Center survey, about 30% of couples also choose to get married for religious reasons. In some faiths, a couple is not considered married if they complete only a civil ceremony - a religious ceremony is required to confirm their union in the eyes of God. A couple who share the same or similar faith may want to honor their relationship with religious commitment, or if their faith is different, they may plan an interfaith wedding ceremony to merge their spirituality.

Some marry because of society's expectations

While there are no statistics showing how many couples get married because of societal expectations, it cannot be denied that many couples feel intense peer pressure from their parents, relatives or other married friends, especially if they already have children or are planning to start a family. Single people can also be pressured to 'settle down' and get married, and for some people the lure of a party to celebrate their union is enough of an incentive to get married.

More than love

While love may be the biggest reason people get married, it's not the only one. In general, people commit to spending their lives together for more than one reason. Every couple chooses to get married because it serves their needs and supports their values ​​and dreams.