Why get married? % of the married general public saying is a very important reason to get married
Love tops the list of Americans’ reasons to marry. About nine-in-ten Americans (88%) cited love as a very important reason to get married, ahead of making a lifelong commitment (81%) and companionship (76%), according to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey. Fewer said having their relationship recognized in a religious ceremony (30%), financial stability (28%) or legal rights and benefits (23%) were very important reasons to marry.
Why get married?  | % of the married general public saying is a very important reason  | to get married  | 88%  | Love  | Making a lifelong  | 81  | commitment  | 76  | Companionship  | Having children  | 49  | a relationship recognized  | 30  | in a religious ceremony  | Financial stability  | 28  | For legal rights  | 23  | and benefits  | Source: Survey conducted May 10-13 2013 (online poll).  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 