Today, more people in Alabama are dodging the altar and skipping the wedding vows to focus on other responsibilities.
Auburn University at Montgomery's (AUM) Center for Demographic Research released the State of Marriage in Alabama Handbook on June 25.
"Marriage has everything to do with community building," said Dr.Yanyi Djamba, director of the Center for Demographic Research. "We didn't have any other publications on the topic, and married and single people need to know the statistics they're up against."
The handbook contains information on how people are waiting to get married later in life. Alabama's marriage rate has reached its lowest level in five decades, although it is still higher than the national rate.
"The decline in the marriage rate is the highest concern, because it has increased since the 1970s," Djamba said.
The state's higher divorce, separation and widowhood rates also mean more Alabamian children are being raised by a single parent than elsewhere in the United States.
"There is a very large portion of children being raised by grandparents instead of their own parents," Djamba said.
Statistics show 57 percent of Alabama grandparents are responsible for raising their grandchildren, compared to 41 percent nationwide.
The highest rate of marriage was found in Washington County, and the lowest rate was found in Macon County.
Although marriage has declined, studies showed a slight increase in the percentage of women marrying younger men.
"In 2008, 15 percent of women in Alabama married younger men, and 46 percent of men were older than their bride," Djamba said.
Another statistic showed that same-sex couples make up 3 percent of couples in Alabama and 5 percent in the United States.
"Same-sex marriage is the lowest concern, because it is not an issue in Alabama yet," Djamba said.
The handbook contains knowledgeable information for people ages 15 and older. The books gives married and single adults insight on marriage and its downfalls.
"In the handbook, we include a whole section on how to get help with your marriage and family," Djamba said.
The State of Marriage in Alabama discusses the benefits of marriage to spouses, children and society at large. It provides information on available resources to those who want to improve, preserve and maintain healthy marriages and relationships.
"Marriage has a great impact on everybody's lives, and a good marriage is why people live longer and happier lives," said Christina Robinson, program associate for the Center for Demographic Research. "A lot of people wanted information on the marriage status and family status in Alabama, and that's why the brochure was created."
Roberta Jackel, project manager for the Alabama Community Healthy Initiative said people should find the book interesting because it is very readable.
Djamba said in the future the center may keep researching the marriage status, and the next topics may be on aging and education in Alabama.
The handbook is a collaborative project with AUM's Center for Demographic Research and Auburn University's Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative.
Hardcopies of the free handbook can be found in Spidle Hall at Auburn University. For additional information on the status of marriage or other topics visit www.alabamamarriage.org, www.demographics.aum.edu, or email Roberta Jackel at roberta@auburn.edu.
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