Fewer U.S. High School Girls Expect to Marry as 'Happily Ever After' Fades

A new analysis of 2023 University of Michigan survey data finds a sharp decline in the share of U.S. high school girls who expect to marry someday. The study reports that 61% of 12th-grade girls in 2023 said they expect to marry, down from 83% in 1993. Boys remain more likely to expect marriage, holding steady at 74%—the first time in the survey series that boys outnumber girls on this measure.

Key findings

In addition to falling interest in marriage, the survey shows a drop in young people's expectations about parenthood: in 2023, 48% of 12th graders said it was "very likely" they would want children, compared with 64% in 1993. These shifts reflect broader changes in attitudes toward family formation over the past three decades.

Expert perspective

JP De Gance, founder and president of the marriage ministry Communio, says cultural narratives in entertainment and parental messaging are reshaping teenagers' imaginations about adulthood. "We've changed the stories we tell our young people," he said, arguing that modern storylines often emphasize independence and self-discovery rather than romantic union as a life goal.

"Nobody's actually independent in life," De Gance added, urging parents and community leaders to teach young people how to discern healthy interdependence and how to choose partners wisely.

Causes and context

De Gance attributes part of the change to evolving portrayals in children's entertainment: while classic films frequently ended with a romantic "happily ever after," he says some recent adaptations place less emphasis on romantic resolution. He also points to parental emphasis on education, career and independence, which can unintentionally signal that family formation should wait until personal goals are achieved.

Other researchers and commentators note that a range of social and economic factors may also influence young people's views of marriage and parenthood, including changing gender roles, economic uncertainty, expanded educational and career opportunities for women, and shifting norms about relationships.

What advocates recommend

At Communio, De Gance and his team work with churches across multiple states to promote marriage education and family outreach. He urges community leaders, parents and institutions to provide balanced information about marriage—correcting misinformation such as the frequently repeated but oversimplified claim that half of marriages end in divorce—and to teach skills that reduce the risk of entering harmful relationships.

De Gance and other proponents point to research—such as studies from the Institute for Family Studies—finding that strong marriages are associated with higher measures of well-being for many people, while also stressing that marriage should be entered into thoughtfully and that personal independence and financial stability remain important.

Takeaway

Survey data show a notable decline in young women's expectations of marriage and a falling likelihood that today's high school seniors expect to have children. Experts say cultural messaging from media and families, along with broader social and economic trends, are likely contributing to these shifts. Observers suggest more intentional education about relationships and clearer, evidence-based information could help young people make informed decisions about marriage and family life.