With little notice, the United States may be crossing a historic milestone in family structure, one that may shape our health, wealth and happiness. Historically, most American adults were married — more than two-thirds as recently as 1970. But the married share has crept downward, and today only about half of adults are married. And to be clear, it’s more of the former than the latter.”Wilcox believes that perhaps a third of today’s young Americans will never marry. Survey data indicates that married couples on average report more happiness, build more wealth, live longer and raise more successful children than single parents or cohabiting couples, though there are plenty of exceptions.

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Persons: —, ” Brad Wilcox, “, ”, ” Wilcox, it’s Organizations: University of Virginia Locations: United States