Number of Remarriages in America Continues to Grow

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 42 million American adults have been married more than once. The current estimate has almost doubled from what it was in 1980, when 22 million reported having been remarried, and has tripled the 14 million figure from 1960. The increase in divorce throughout the United States over the last several decades has certainly been a factor, along with an upward shift in the average age of the population, both of which contribute to more individuals able to and interested in getting remarried.

As more adults get remarried, it follows that a higher percentage of marriages involve one or both partners marrying again.  The 2013 American Community Survey found that fully 40 percent of new marriages is a remarriage for at least one spouse. Further, half of that 40 percent, or 20 percent of all marriages, are between spouses who have both been previously married.

These numbers are particularly interesting in light of the fact that marriage overall is on the decline. Based on several different census estimates, between 20 and 30 percent of American adults have never been married, a marked increase from the 1960s when 10 to 15 percent of adults had never been married. Part of the reason for the increase may be based on the fact that many young adults are waiting longer to get married. The median age at which an American marries for the first time is now 27 for women and 29 for men, a significant increase from several decades ago. In 1960, the median first marriage age for a woman was 20 and 23 for a man.

Over the last five decades, social attitudes toward marriage and divorce have continued to evolve. However, even as divorce has become much more common, a significant majority of Americans continue to place a degree of importance on marriage.  Pew Research reports that nearly 70 percent of adults believe that marriage is important for a couple intending to spend their lives together, with nearly 47 percent considering marriage very important.

Before a non-widowed individual can be allowed to remarry, any previous marriage must be legally dissolved. If you are considering remarriage in Illinois, a qualified divorce lawyer can offer the help you need to move forward with your life plans. Contact an experienced DuPage County family law attorney for a consultation today.