---
title: "Young Men and Women Differ on the Importance of a Successful Marriage"
description: "The percentage of young men (ages 18 to 34) who say a successful marriage is one of the most important things in their lives has dropped six percentage points since 1997, from 35% to 29%. The percentage of young women who put a priority on having a successful marriage has risen during that period."
date: "2012-04-26"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/04/26/young-men-and-women-differ-on-the-importance-of-a-successful-marriage/"
---

# Young Men and Women Differ on the Importance of a Successful Marriage

The share of young men (ages 18 to 34) who say that having a successful marriage is one of the most important things in their lives has dropped six percentage points since 1997, from 35% to 29%. For women, the opposite effect occurred, as the share voicing this opinion rose from 28% to 37%.

This gender gap is a new development, as men and women were statistically equal on this measure in 1997.

Among middle-aged and older women, there has been a marginal rise in the share who place the highest priority on marriage during this time (32% to 37%). Among middle-aged and older men, this figure has increased nine percentage points since 1997, and is nearly equal (36%) to that of similarly-aged women today. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2012/04/19/a-gender-reversal-on-career-aspirations/?src=prc-number)