'Marriage Avoidance' Leaves Women Single as Backlash Grows Against Trend of Hating Men

Criticism has emerged suggesting that a culture of avoiding marriage actually lowers women's quality of life and only fuels hostility toward men. The critique comes as the popularity of content depicting men as the enemy intensifies conflicts between the sexes.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the percentage of American households consisting of married couples stands at 47% as of 2025, a decrease from nearly 66% five decades ago. The proportion of married households with children under 18 also fell from 54% in 1975 to 37%. Conversely, research cited in the column indicates that married women are happier, live longer, and earn higher incomes than single women.

Columnist Ingrid Jacques criticized the mass media for portraying men as enemies and inciting conflict between the sexes. Jacques pointed to the novel 'Yesterear,' noting that men are depicted as lazy or toxic and husbands are referred to as 'monsters.' She linked the spread of the anti-marriage movement to liberal ideology and the influence of media that characterize men as enemies.