More than half of young people don't want to get married: these are their reasons

In Colombia, marriage is no longer the ideal life for many young people , according to a survey by Manuela Beltrán University , which reveals that the altar no longer occupies the central place it had in previous generations.

According to the study, six out of 10 young people believe that getting married 'maybe' is in their future , but they don't see it as a priority, while only three out of 10 include it in their life plans, and 9% are already married.

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Sociologist Luis Barragán, from the same university , explains: “ In recent decades, marriage has ceased to play a central role in the life plans of Colombian youth. What was once an unavoidable ritual of passage into adulthood is now being displaced by new forms of coexistence and emotional organization .”

Yes, but without papers

The report clarifies that the lack of interest in marriage does not mean that young people have lost faith in love. However, 65% of those surveyed stated that they still dream of a stable relationship . The difference lies in the type of relationship they seek.

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Added to this is the fact that many respondents said they prefer more flexible relationships, without the formality of marriage. In fact, one in four young people opt for so-called "situationships," that is, relationships without labels or formal commitments, according to the study.

Furthermore, 9% say that being single is their best option for now, demonstrating that not everyone feels the urgency to find a partner or get married .

Marriage: Tradition in Check

Marriage in Colombia has historically been tied to the Catholic Church and the traditional social order. However, data shows that this institution is currently at a crossroads .

Nearly half of those surveyed (47.8%) still believe that marriage is necessary to start a family . However, 43% consider it a thing of the past, and 9% even consider it a waste of time and money.

Against this background, Barragán explains that: “ from a historical point of view, in Colombia marriage was closely linked to the influence of the Catholic Church and patriarchal control over women, becoming a device of moral and social legitimation .”

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Another key aspect of this transformation comes from women . For centuries, marriage was associated with roles of subordination and inequality. Today, many young women are openly questioning this and proposing new relationship models.

According to the expert, " women have begun to question marriage as an institution linked to subordination, demanding horizontal, egalitarian, and fair relationships ."

Education and 'freedom' first

One of the study's most significant findings is the shift in young people's priorities. Marriage no longer tops the list. Instead, goals such as completing college, maintaining an active social life, and achieving financial independence appear .

“ There have been changes in young people's life plans, who are prioritizing higher education, social activity, and economic independence over committing to marriage ,” said Barragán.

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