Why Marriage Still Matters… and What It Means for Couples in Chicago

A recent Atlantic article, “Why Marriage Survives” (Sept. 2025), makes a surprising claim: marriage in America isn’t fading — it’s quietly staging a comeback. New data shows divorce rates dropping, more children being raised in two‑parent households, and evolving gender roles reshaping what marriage looks like today.

At Pinnacle Counseling, we see these trends reflected every day in our work with couples. Marriage is not static — it’s a living, shifting partnership. And as this research suggests, when couples invest in that partnership, the rewards can be deep and lasting.

Divorce Rates Are Down — and That Matters

Since the 1980s, the U.S. divorce rate has dropped by nearly 40%, with about half of that decline occurring in just the past 15 years. Today, the lifetime risk of divorce in a first marriage is closer to 40% — a significant shift from past decades.

This trend reflects something hopeful: marriage is becoming more stable, especially for couples who prioritize communication, self-awareness, and mutual effort.

More Children Are Growing Up with Two Parents

After bottoming out at 64% in 2012, the share of children living with married, intact families rose to 66% by 2024. Even more notably, the percentage of children raised continuously in a two‑parent household increased from 52% in 2014 to 54% in 2024.

Research links this kind of stability to long-term benefits for children: higher educational attainment, reduced risk of incarceration, and improved mental health outcomes.

Marriage Looks Different — and That’s a Good Thing

One of the most encouraging shifts is how modern marriages share responsibility more equitably. In 2024, American fathers averaged 9 hours per week on childcare — up from just 2.5 hours in 1965. That’s a dramatic shift in the emotional and logistical labor of parenting.

These changes often result in more balanced, respectful partnerships — a reflection of how marriage continues to evolve rather than disappear.

Stability Across More Communities

Marriage is still more common among college‑educated adults (62%) than those without degrees (49%), but rates are stabilizing and improving in communities where marriage has historically declined.

For example, the share of Black children living with married parents rose from 33% in 2012 to 39% in 2024. This growth signals opportunity for more families to access the benefits of stable partnerships, across lines of race and class.

How Pinnacle Counseling Supports Healthy Relationships

At Pinnacle Counseling, we work with couples and families navigating these very dynamics. Our goal isn’t to promote a one-size-fits-all version of marriage — it’s to support people in building relationships rooted in mutual care, trust, and resilience.

Here’s how we do that:

• Helping Couples Strengthen Their Foundations
  
  We support clients in addressing the challenges that often underlie relationship stress — from communication breakdowns to mismatched expectations and external pressures.
  

• Encouraging Shared Responsibility
  
  We help partners examine how caregiving, emotional labor, and household responsibilities are divided, aiming for balance and equity in the relationship.
  

• Supporting Families Through Transitions
  
  Whether couples are newly parenting, raising teenagers, or navigating adult family dynamics, our therapists offer a space to align on parenting and support healthy emotional development.
  

• Providing Culturally Responsive, Accessible Care
  
  We recognize that relationship support isn’t always easy to access. We’re committed to offering care that meets people where they are — regardless of background, income level, or family structure.

Why This Matters

Marriage, as framed in The Atlantic, is not a fading tradition — it’s an institution in transition, adapting to new realities and values. The benefits that can come with that transformation — from stronger parenting to greater life satisfaction — are real.

At Pinnacle Counseling, we’re here to walk with couples through the work of creating something meaningful and lasting. If you’re navigating a relationship challenge, considering counseling, or just want a space to reconnect with your partner, we’re ready to support you.