More French Couples Going Unwed

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20061121_french_couples_unwed/

Posted on Nov 21, 2006

Marriage rates in France are about 45 percent below U.S. levels. Whence the trend? Theories: This (French) generation’s nearly universal rejection of religion, and a massive migration to more independent-friendly urban areas.

Despite warnings from religious conservatives, society hasn’t crumbled in tandem with marriage rates.

Also, out-of-wedlock births are up in the U.S.—and not only to teens, but to mothers choosing to put off marriage.

Washington Post:

PARIS—Sandrine Folet and Lucas Titouh have two children, a stylish Paris apartment and a 15-year-old partnership.

They have no intention of getting married.

“We don’t feel the need to get married,” said Folet, 36, who has known Titouh, 40, since she was a teenager. “I don’t know many people in our age group who are married.”

Link

From Molly Moore / The Washington Post

Sandrine Folet and Lucas Titouh, in their Paris apartment with children Lola and Tom, are part of a growing trend away from marriage.