Faith
Marriage Decline Raises Concern for Families
Faith Facts
- The Marriage Foundation highlights a 9% drop in heterosexual weddings in England and Wales during 2023.
- Many couples have not rescheduled ceremonies postponed by Covid-19 lockdowns.
- Recent data shows fewer than half of adults are married, and nearly half of UK teenagers do not live with both biological parents.
The Marriage Foundation is raising alarm as marriage rates continue to decline, a troubling sign for the future of family and faith in Britain. New data reveal wedding numbers remain far below levels needed to recover from lockdown losses.
Research Director Harry Benson notes tens of thousands of couples disrupted by pandemic restrictions still have not held their weddings.
While there has been some recovery since 2019, the rise in ceremonies is far less than the gap left by the sweeping closures of 2020.
“That so many couples appear to have abandoned their wedding plans is incredibly sad for them, their friends and families. But it may also have a serious knock-on effect on commitment.”
The foundation stresses the importance of marriage as a public covenant, affirming stability and support for couples and children. Marriage remains a powerful institution upholding God’s design for family and society.
Some couples have prioritized other goals, such as starting families or buying homes, but the foundation warns this may weaken generational ties and Christian values if formal marriage is forsaken.
Divorce rates are at their lowest since 1970, but genuine family stability remains elusive, with almost half of teens lacking both biological parents at home.
“This has knock-on effects on child poverty, crime, education and mental health. Until our national policies encourage couples to make the formal commitment of marriage, this situation will get worse.”
The Marriage Foundation calls for policies supporting the financial feasibility of marriage, reminding us that strong families are the cornerstone of a righteous and free nation. Let us pray and act to restore marriage as God intended.