Final answer:
Couples today face challenges such as financial stress and evolving values that contribute to higher divorce rates, while cohabitation and delayed marriages due to career and education priorities represent changing marital patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
In contemporary relationships, many couples are experiencing significant changes in the dynamics of marriage. The rising acceptance of single parenting and cohabitation, along with the stress and challenges brought upon by the birth of the first child—especially multiples—, contribute to shifts in marital patterns. In particular, financial stress is a major contributor to marital strain, with couples lacking a substantial asset base having a higher chance of divorce. This financial pressure, alongside diverging values and life goals as couples age, plays a role in the increasing rate of divorces among married couples today.
Moreover, as the societal norms evolve, fewer individuals see marriage as an immediate goal, opting instead for cohabitation, which is sometimes viewed as a "trial run" for marriage. However, research indicates that cohabitation might not significantly impact the success rate of subsequent marriages. The median age for first marriage has risen to record levels, with people prioritizing education and career over "settling down" sooner.
It is evident that marriage patterns are changing, and while marriage remains a significant institution, the traditional paths leading to it are becoming less common.