the to Be Married as Today in 1940 Share of18- to 34-year-olds married
In the decade that brought the country into World War II, women typically lived with their parents until they married and only a small share attended college. Indeed, even in 1960, only 5% of 18- to 34-year-old women were college students. Today, women are five times more likely to be enrolled in college. According to 2014 figures, 27% of young women were college students.
Furthermore, while marriage typically promotes living independently of parents and other relatives, many young women are delaying marriage compared with earlier decades. In 2013, young women were half as likely to be married (30%) as young women in 1940 (62%). Census figures show that in 2014, the typical woman began her first marriage at age 27. In 1940, it was 21.5.
the Women Today 1940 Are Half as Likely  | the to Be Married as Today in 1940  | Share of18- to 34-year-olds married  | 80%  | 62%  | 60  | 40 48%  | 30%  | 024%  | 20  | 1940 '50  | 60  | '70  | '80  | '90 2000 '10 '13  | Median age at frrst marriage  | 29 3  | 30  | 24.3  | Men  | 27.0  | 20  | 21.5  | Women  | 10  | 1940 '50 '60 770  | '80 '90 2000 '10 '14  | Source: Pew Research Center ta bulations ofU.S decennial  | census data 1940 2000 and 2010 and 2013 American  | Community Survey (IPUMS), and Census Bureau historical  | data on median age at first marriage  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 