The Future of Marriage
Title
The Future of Marriage
Author
McClintock, Elizabeth Aura
Research Area
Social Institutions
Topic
Marriage and the Family
Abstract
After briefly examining the history or marriage and the development of modern marriage, this essay describes major themes in the study of marriage, including research on the rise of alternatives to marriage, the “deinstitutionalization” of marriage, and the consequences of these changes. It next considers current demographic trends, recent advances in research, and likely future directions of research. In particular, the imminence of same‐sex marriage and the increasing importance of the internet in partner selection are likely to be important areas of research and social change. The conclusion considers the implications of these trends for marriage's future and for future research on marriage.