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Wedding Rings
UK News

Study reveals marriage remains key sign of commitment in 21st century Britain

by Desmond Busteed

Three charities - Relate, Relationships Scotland and Marriage Care - conducted a study called The Way We Are Now 2015.

While highlighting the role of marriage, it also revealed signs of a potential generational shift in attitudes.

For example, 35% of those aged 65 or over thought that getting married was the most important factor in showing commitment in a relationship, but this fell to just 12% for 16-24 year olds.

However the annual study of more than 6,000 people also found that when it comes to what people think are the most important factors in a relationship, sex life and physical attraction come out surprisingly low compared to honesty, communication and commitment.

Some critics have questioned the report's findings, suggesting the survey found marriage as a 'bit of an embarrassment".

"I've read it from beginning to end and I can't really see what it's telling us about whether marriage is important or not," But Harry Benson, Research Director, The Marriage Foundation.

"In some respect it may even be actually rather papering over that point and making some rather odd expressions," added Mr Benson.

Across all age groups, only three in ten people (32%) ranked 'sex life/physical attraction' in their top three important factors in a relationship, with just 23% of people aged 65 and over doing so.

For 16-24 year olds, 'sex life/physical attraction' was considered more important but still only 45% put it in their top three. In contrast, 71% of people across all age groups put honesty in their top three, 67% selected communication and 57% chose commitment.

"We feel valued when our partner takes the time to listen to our problems, sharing the storms with us as well as enjoying the sunshine," said Bridie Collins, director of relationship education and support, Marriage Care.

"We build healthy relationships, and marriages that last, when we prioritise clear and honest communication with each other, throughout the ups and downs of life. Couples can protect their relationship by learning simple techniques to help them communicate well, which in turn will help to nurture the joint commitment that this report shows people aspire to."

Listen to Harry Benson from the Marriage Foundation speaking to Premier's Hannah Tooley on the News Hour:

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