Staff Reports
In a time when the concept of marriage seems as outdated as a rotary phone, recent polls show a surprising trend: more young men than women are interested in tying the knot. Perhaps they’re hoping for a ring before the wrinkles kick in. The percentage of 12th graders overall saying they’ll likely choose to get married someday is 67%, down from 80% in 1993. Looks like someone missed the memo that marriage isn’t quite on trend anymore.
So what’s got the ladies saying “I don’t” instead of “I do”? Some blame careerism and feminism, but others shout “housing!” louder than a real estate agent at an open house. And there’s some truth to that. Most young men with dreams of a picket fence aren’t exactly keen on returning home to the frat house with a new bride. Truth be told, nobody wants to perform the wedding march into an apartment elevator filled with neighbor’s dogs and mystery smells.
These statistics pull back the curtain on a deeper issue: the nightmare of housing costs. The stakes are high, folks. If people can’t even buy a house until their hair is more salt than pepper, we might just be on the path to civilization’s undoing—or at least a very cranky society.
Now we move on to the curious case of women wanting to leave America behind. No, it’s not a plot from a new dystopian novel; it’s based on real numbers. Whether it’s the allure of European wine or the hope for greener political pastures, it seems the grass truly looks greener on the other side. One might argue they’re trying to escape the internal strife of domestic debates, but they’d better read up on foreign real estate prices before booking a one-way flight.
For the progressive young gals peeking over the fence at other countries, it might be time for a reality check. American regulations, like those on abortion, are often framed as among the most permissive internationally. So, before anyone packs their bags for their reality show version of “Survivor: Foreign Edition,” they might want to thank Uncle Sam for the freedoms often taken for granted.
Finally, here’s a thought: let’s send these dreamy-eyed adventurers on a trip to explore other sociopolitical systems firsthand. Odds are, the return flight will be booked sooner than you can say “Socialism isn’t quite as fun in practice.” Just wait until they get to experience the harsh wake-up calls in less free societies. Perhaps America might look a little brighter in comparison. Or at least that’s the bet some are willing to make. Who knew the struggle for housing was somehow tied to a global quest for greener pastures—or at least a comedic exchange between staying put and jumping ship?
