Marriage Makes a Comeback—and Not a Moment Too Soon

After decades of troubling headlines about the decline of marriage and family, a fresh wind of hope is blowing—and it’s backed by data. As The Wall Street Journal’s James Freeman recently highlighted in his column, “Marriage Makes a Comeback”, the tides may finally be turning for one of civilization’s most vital institutions.

Freeman reports on data shared by family scholar Brad Wilcox, who points to a near 40 percent drop in the divorce rate since the early 1980s—with nearly half of that decrease occurring just in the past 15 years. Even more encouraging, the percentage of children growing up in two-parent households is slowly but surely climbing. According to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, that figure rose from 64 percent in 2012 to 66 percent in 2024.

This quiet but significant shift matters more than many realize. Research has long shown that children raised in intact, married families are more likely to thrive emotionally, academically, and economically. But marriage doesn’t just benefit children. As Freeman notes, citing the 2024 General Social Survey, married adults between the ages of 25 and 55 are more than twice as likely to describe themselves as “very happy” compared to their unmarried peers. They also tend to live longer, enjoy better health, and build more financial security.

At PAIRS Foundation, we’ve spent decades teaching couples the essential skills to create and sustain strong, loving partnerships. What we’ve learned is this: while the desire for lasting love remains universal, many people simply haven’t been taught how to navigate the inevitable challenges of intimate relationships. We’re not born knowing how to express emotions constructively, resolve conflicts without blame, or stay emotionally connected through life’s ups and downs. These are learned skills—and they can be taught.

The signs of marriage’s revival are encouraging, but this moment calls for more than celebration. It calls for action. We need to double down on providing relationship education to people of all ages and backgrounds—especially young adults, who too often carry cynical or outdated beliefs about what marriage entails. And we need to be especially mindful of those for whom marriage has felt out of reach due to economic instability, trauma, or lack of support.

Freeman also highlights a broader truth about human flourishing: more people, stronger families, and renewed belief in the future go hand in hand. Economists like Dean Spears and Michael Geruso are now arguing that population growth isn’t a threat—it’s a blessing. The most valuable natural resource, as Freeman puts it, quoting economist Julian Simon, is “skilled, spirited and hopeful people.”

That starts with children being raised in homes filled with love, safety, and stability. And the best predictor of that kind of home? A healthy, committed marriage.

Let’s be clear: marriage alone doesn’t solve society’s problems. But a renewed commitment to strong, supported families can go a long way toward healing what’s been broken. For those of us on the front lines of relationship education, this isn’t just about data points—it’s about hope, one couple at a time.

Let’s make this comeback count.