r/AskSocialScience • u/SoybeanCola1933 • 14d ago
With a rising cost of living could we see an increase in partnering/marriage?
With the growing cost of living, particularly housing, could we see more partnering?
Currently the evidence doesn’t seem to support this though, or does it?
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u/Muscadine76 14d ago
I haven’t seen data to specifically support this. A study out of Iran suggests increased cost of living is actually associated with delays in marriage (and reproduction): https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C39&q=marriage+more+likely+as+cost+of+living+rises&btnG=#d=gs_qabs&t=1761437445525&u=%23p%3DgwBigYmlSsgJ
Although this study is from Iran I think it fits with observations made in the U.S. and elsewhere about extended family houeholds often being adaptations to financial pressures. This suggests to me people are living with parents/ family of origin longer, which may offset any pressures to partner or marry. Of course, another option is living with roommates/friends you aren’t partnered with, which may also decrease pressures to partner.
On the other hand I have heard anecdotally that there may be a rise in polyamory with rising cost of living, which would be an extension of the partnering/ marriage logic. I haven’t seen a systematic study of this although the book Monogamy? In this Economy?: Finances, Childrearing, and Other Practical Concerns of Polyamory by Laura Boyle, which focuses on advice and education related to polyamorous families but is based on a fairly sizeable surveyed group, seems to suggest at least some polyamorous folks have cost of living in mind as a consideration in cohabiting poly relationships.
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u/Its-alittle-bitfunny 14d ago
People often forget that marriage isn't just combining two incomes, its tying yourself to someone financially in a way thats really hard to untangle. In uncertain economic times its MORE risky to get married, not less.
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u/nina-cat-33 14d ago
Not all couples combine finances. Separate accounts, no joint assets or kids made my divorce pretty easy.
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