Ever wonder why so many young adults are still single... or just not interested in marriage at all? Drew Mariani explores this question with Fr. Paul Sullins, a sociologist and priest who knows the stats and the spiritual side.

 

It’s not just about student loans or wanting to backpack through Europe before settling down. There’s a deeper cultural shift going on. 👉 Listen to the full episode of The Drew Mariani Show on the Relevant Radio app. 

 

 

What’s Actually Behind the Marriage Delay?

 

Drew and Fr. Sullins talk about several key reasons, and they’re more complex than “kids these days”:

 

Fear of young marriage: Parents are passing down anxiety about marrying too young, even though studies show 22- or 23-year-olds actually have pretty stable outcomes.

 

📉 Marriage is off the radar: Unlike past generations, young adults aren’t growing up hearing that marriage is a life goal. There are no classes or no cultural messaging that promote it.

 

🏠 Cohabitation culture: People can now get the perks of married life: companionship, intimacy, even kids... without the actual commitment.

 

📱 Social disconnection: Dating today is more isolated than ever. Most young adults live in digital echo chambers, and the traditional places to meet marriage-minded people just don’t work anymore.

 

Extended adolescence: Many don't feel “grown-up” until their 30s... delaying jobs, home-buying, and marriage. The markers of adulthood are now just... later.

 

 

📊 Some Shocking Stats

 

In 1949, 80% of U.S. households were headed by a married couple.

 

In 2024: Just 47%. Less than half.

 

Average age of first marriage: 28 for women, 30 for men... up 7 years from just one generation ago.

 

In places like NYC and LA, it’s often even later.

 

This shift is a vocation crisis in slow motion. Fewer marriages mean fewer families, fewer kids, and a shrinking Church.

 

 

💬 One Caller’s Honest Struggle

 

A young woman named Rachel from Florida calls in. She’s in her late 20s, values marriage deeply, but hasn’t found someone who can lead spiritually and emotionally. She’s off social media, back to the flip phone life (respect 🙌), and holding strong to her values.

 

Fr. Sullins encourages her, and others like her... not to give up, but also to be intentional:

 

-Join Catholic groups, networking circles, or even online dating platforms that actually support faith-based relationships.

 

-Don’t expect your future spouse to show up at the grocery store, or even at most parishes, sadly.

 

-Keep praying but also keep moving. God can steer a moving car better than a parked one. 🚗💨

 

 

This conversation isn’t about pressuring people into early marriage. It’s about reclaiming the joy, courage, and holiness of saying “I do”.

 

Let’s stop waiting for marriage to magically happen... and start building a culture that helps it thrive again. 💍

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Ever wonder why so many young adults are&nbsp;still single... or just not interested in marriage at all? Drew Mariani explores this question with Fr. Paul Sullins, a sociologist and priest who knows the stats and the spiritual side.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s not just about student loans or wanting to backpack through Europe before settling down. There&rsquo;s a deeper cultural shift going on. 👉&nbsp;Listen to the <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/06/why-arent-young-people-getting-married/">full episode</a> of The Drew Mariani Show on the <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">Relevant Radio app</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="514" data-end="517">
&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s Actually Behind the Marriage Delay?
&nbsp;
Drew and Fr. Sullins talk about several key reasons, and they&rsquo;re more complex than &ldquo;kids these days&rdquo;:
&nbsp;
Fear of young marriage: Parents are passing down anxiety about marrying too young, even though studies show 22- or 23-year-olds actually have pretty stable outcomes.
&nbsp;
📉 Marriage is off the radar: Unlike past generations, young adults aren&rsquo;t growing up hearing that marriage is a life goal. There are no classes or no cultural messaging&nbsp;that promote it.
&nbsp;
🏠&nbsp;Cohabitation culture: People can now get the perks of married life: companionship, intimacy, even kids... without the actual commitment.
&nbsp;
📱 Social disconnection: Dating today is more isolated than ever. Most young adults live in digital echo chambers, and the traditional places to meet marriage-minded people just don&rsquo;t work anymore.
&nbsp;
Extended adolescence: Many don't feel &ldquo;grown-up&rdquo; until their 30s... delaying jobs, home-buying, and marriage. The markers of adulthood are now just... later.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1575" data-end="1578">
&nbsp;
📊 Some Shocking Stats
&nbsp;
In 1949, 80% of U.S. households were headed by a married couple.
&nbsp;
In 2024: Just 47%. Less than half.
&nbsp;
Average age of first marriage: 28 for women, 30 for men... up 7 years from just one generation ago.
&nbsp;
In places like NYC and LA, it&rsquo;s often even later.
&nbsp;
This shift is a vocation crisis in slow motion. Fewer marriages mean fewer families, fewer kids, and a shrinking Church.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2034" data-end="2037">
&nbsp;
💬 One Caller&rsquo;s Honest Struggle
&nbsp;
A young woman named Rachel from Florida calls in. She&rsquo;s in her late 20s, values marriage deeply, but hasn&rsquo;t found someone who can lead spiritually and emotionally. She&rsquo;s off social media, back to the flip phone life (respect 🙌), and holding strong to her values.
&nbsp;
Fr. Sullins encourages her, and others like her... not to give up, but also to be intentional:
&nbsp;
-Join Catholic groups, networking circles, or even online dating platforms that actually support faith-based relationships.
&nbsp;
-Don&rsquo;t expect your future spouse to show up at the grocery store, or even at most parishes, sadly.
&nbsp;
-Keep praying but also keep moving. God can steer a moving car better than a parked one. 🚗💨
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
This conversation isn&rsquo;t about pressuring people into early marriage. It&rsquo;s about&nbsp;reclaiming the joy, courage, and holiness of saying &ldquo;I do&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s stop waiting for marriage to magically happen... and start building a culture that helps it&nbsp;thrive again.&nbsp;💍
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3797" data-end="3800">
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.