Is Marriage Becoming Obsolete?

I was not surprised when I read in Kate Bolick’s The Atlantic magazine cover story, "What, Me Marry?" that a smaller proportion of American women in their early 30s are married than at any other point since the 1950s, if not earlier. I recently created a feature-length documentary about single women in their 30s and knew this to be the case. However, I was surprised to read that a whopping 44 percent of Millennials and 43 percent of Gen Xers think marriage is becoming obsolete (Pew Research Center). That got us wondering here at 614: what does this mean for Jewish women? We decided to find out.

Michelle Cove, Editor
mcove@brandeis.edu

In This Issue

• Alone in My Beliefs

  My opposition to marriage has been steadfast, but I sure could do with the company of other women who feel the same

• What, Us Not Marry?

  Marriage reminds us on an ongoing basis that living only for oneself is severely limiting.

• Jewish, Single…and Lame?

  Why American audiences are led to believe single Jewish women are social losers.

• On NOT Waiting for Mr. Right

  One reason marriage could become obsolete: more women have the courage, resilience, and financial means to become single moms.

• Keep Your Frozen Eggs Kosher

  Should single Israeli women try to stay viable in the marriage market by freezing their eggs?

• Resources - Vol 6, Issue 1

  A sampling of resources that provide more information on Jewish marriage.