Marriage Duration

Marriage duration refers to the length of time a couple remains married, typically measured from the date of marriage until the date of separation or divorce. It can be expressed as the average or median length of marriages within a population or as the specific time span of an individual marriage.

Key points about marriage duration:

• Average length of a first marriage in the U.S. is about 8 years, according to the Census Bureau. This is often linked to the concept of the "seven-year itch," where couples may experience restlessness or changes in needs and values around that time.

• Median duration of current marriages in the U.S. (as of 2018) is about 19 to 21 years for individuals in their first marriage, reflecting those still married rather than those who have divorced.

• In legal contexts, such as divorce proceedings in California, marriage duration is measured from the wedding date to the date of separation, which is distinct from the divorce date. The length of marriage can influence decisions on spousal support and property division.

• Longer marriages (e.g., 25+ years) often involve more complex financial arrangements, and courts may award a greater share of marital property to the lower-earning spouse to maintain comparable standards of living post-divorce.

In summary, marriage duration is a measure of how long a marriage lasts, with average and median durations varying by country and context, and it plays an important role in legal and social considerations surrounding marriage and divorce.