Marriage and Happiness: changing Australian attitudes to marriage

Abstract

In this chapter, we begin by outlining some dramatic changes in relationship formation, and then ask whether there has been an accompanying shift in attitudes surrounding perceptions of marriage. We examine three key attitudes about marriage. First, we look at whether Australians believe that people in a marriage are happier than their unmarried peers. Second, we look at opinions about childbearing outside of marriage. Third, we investigate to what extent Australians consider marriage to be an outdated institution. We conclude with some observations about the future of marriage.