Are you a traditionalist when it comes to marriage and family?
Following the research, insurance provider, Direct Line reveals what's most important in life to Brits.
Celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Cameron Diaz and Ricky Gervais have all admitted that they have no desire to start a family, as the dream of balancing work and retaining independence becomes increasingly difficult.
Whilst these celebrities have their own individual reasons for not wanting children, almost 40 per cent of the UK who do want children claim that having a well-paid job is their number one priority before they consider taking the steps towards parenthood.
Marriage is as highly regarded as ever, despite decline in the number of people getting married
Despite a steady downward trend in marriage rates since the 1970s, 54 per cent of respondents still believed this to be the second most important milestone in their lives.
Younger generations no longer rely on family members financing their wedding, with 58 per cent of 20 to 29 year olds selecting ‘being able to cover the cost of the wedding themselves’ as the main enabler to them getting married compared to just 34 per cent of those now aged 70 and over, who have been or are married.
In past decades people were able to rely more on family support to pay for their weddings, in the current climate, families are more squeezed financially and are not able to offer this support.
The Duchess of Cambridge was considered ‘old’ in royal circles by marrying aged 29, compared to Diana (who wed aged 20) however she was actually one year under the national average.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that the average age of brides has increased over time, from 26 in 1991 for women and rising to 30 in 2008. Grooms see a similar trend, from 30 in 1999 to 32 in 2008 such as actor Chris O’Dowd, who wed journalist Dawn Porter earlier this year.
Emotional support from grandparent is more important than financial
According to ONS data, the average age of first time fathers is estimated at 32 such as James Corden, who had his first child in 2011 (yet married slightly later at 34). The average age at which people are starting a family continues to increase, up by four years in the last three decades amongst first time mothers.
In 2010 the average age of a woman having her first child was estimated to be 28 (27.8) years of age, the same age that Holly Willoughby had her first child, compared with 26.5 in 2000, and 24 years in 1974.
Financial independence is a key factor throughout with living in a nice/safe area and owning a home as equally important. Despite the biggest barrier being financial implications, only six per cent of Brits without children listed ‘lack of financial support from family’ as a key barrier proving that we are becoming increasingly self-reliant when it comes to parenthood.
However much we desire to be financially dependent, parents are becoming increasingly reliant on their own mothers and fathers with most grandparents playing the role for 25 years of their life.
Despite parents having children later, 50 per cent of all grandparents are now aged 65 or under such as Sharon Osbourne, who has recently become a grandmother age 60 and Mick Jagger who became a grandfather at the age of 50. With his eldest granddaughter now nineteen, it may not be too long until he becomes a great grandparent, with 50 per cent of all people now reaching this milestone.
Are you a traditionalist when it comes to marriage and family or are there other, more important, things in life that you would like to achieve?
Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam