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Only 16% of 17 to 19-year-olds believe they will definitely marry: survey

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A sobering reminder of the times we live in.

Those aren’t the sentiments of their age groups in the past at all.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Only 16% of 17 to 19-year-olds believe they will definitely marry: survey

The above headline portrays a bleak outlook for marriage. But the article then informs us that only “17.4 percent said they do not have a desire to marry.”

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Not surprising really, considering the current state of things here.

Semantics probably, but if one is going to refer to one sex as "female" then it would be natural to refer to the opposite sex as "male" not "men".

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Regarding the decline of births in Japan, 74.1 percent of the respondents said they feel a sense of crisis.

But for the politicians, elderly LDP voters, business leaders and the bureaucrats, it seems to be "Crisis? What crisis?"

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

For young people to see marriage in a positive light you need either a carefree population that don't worry too much about the future (even if prospects are bad) or a healthy and supportive society that makes sure families gets at least the bare minimum to survive without worries.

Japan has neither, many people tend to think seriously about the future difficulties and abstain from doing anything that would make them a burden for others and the government and society seem fixed in putting troubles and huge costs in having even a small family.

-7 ( +9 / -16 )

Misleading really. So it's 82% who either want to get married or think they definitely will. That's probably about normal for most countries these days one would think.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Likely the experience of living with their parents is a key factor. My wife and I are inseparable; my son married last month, and my daughter will probably do so soon (to a pro soccer player!) The inspiration - or lack - of a successful marriage for children to witness is key.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

With Japan's 'leaders' mostly made up of old men, and only 34% of young people voting, it's not surprising young people feel despondent.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Only 16% of Japan's teenagers from 17 years will marry ? So, 84 % of Japan's teenagers from 17 years are not going to do their duty to help their country increase its sagging population rate? How many millions of babies will miss being born to become Japanese citizens? Because 84% Japanese teenagers from 17 years are refusing to marry?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

How many millions of babies will miss being born to become Japanese citizens? 

You don't need to marry to have babies. Modern marriage is a pretty new concept and institution for human history.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@Laguna

Job stability and a bright future make people interested in marriage too.

Japan has neither .

-8 ( +10 / -18 )

That is a high percentage.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Job stability and a bright future make people interested in marriage too.

Japan has neither .

Really? Everyone who wants a job has a job in Japan.

1 ( +12 / -11 )

makes it socially reprehensible to have children while single, or to have multiple spouses, etc.

What era are you living in? Like it or not, single-parents are more common today here in Japan than ever before. There is no stigma to it either!

Oh and it is illegal to have "multiple" spouses, at the same time that is!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

I think the government grift of pressuring youth to marry and have kids while eliminating their pensions (but making them pay more into them), demanding overtime work, demanding spending, not demanding fair wages for them, raising costs on everything, spending profits on defense and not families, is up. Why have kids that they know will be born into billions of yen of personal debt? They don't want to be slaves and create a family to be more enslaved by the government.

I know people who want to marry and have kids but they just say the truth: "Too expensive". And not a selfish, "I won't have money for Vitton if I do" it's more, "What kind of hardships would I be bringing a family and children into?"

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

Our eldest turned 17 last summer. She's a great young woman and is getting on well, she goes to a really good science school, but I wouldn't pay too much attention to what she says about her future. It'll just be guesswork based on little social experience. I would focus more on the actual behaviour of those 25 to 40 or so instead.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Smarter new generation of kids!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

When I was that age I had no intention of getting married but that changed when I got older.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Might be useful to support women and men who decided to have kids with not only free kindergarten, schooling but also university and health care. We could, for example, keep the present system as today, but if a family have three kids then all three kids will ,if they wish, have free ,kindergarten,high schooling/ university, and the while the family pays 30% for health care, the whole family could get free health care if they had 3 kids until 45. And or until the kids graduate from college. The fear, worry and financial worry would be removed and would also be a benefit to the whole family, and the country and the kids themselves. The investment wouldn’t be seen until they all graduate from school/uni and because consumers and tax payers.

just an idea!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The above suggestion should also be extended to single parents.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan should spend more time to deal with her domestic problems. The young people see the future of this nation is pessimistic. Babies too less is a very sure situation. Stop messing China with Taiwan or the South China Sea, that's not your business!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

another meaningless statistic that only captures a moment in time of teens who are far from emotionally and educationally developed.

I'm quite sure you'd find similar statistics in every country around the world for that age group.

I didn't give marriage a thought until I hit 30 and realized a single life with no children would be absolutely meaningless.

Its what smart, mature adults all realize.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

There's no such thing as "free" from the govt. We always pay and almost always 2-3x more than what the free market would cost. Why is that so hard for people to understand? Free education from the govt will be very costly. Parts of norther Europe have free education and pay for adults to live on their own while they are working towards a degree. The system is full of abuses.

The feeling about marriage existed for many generations. When you are 80, do you want to be surrounded by family, kids, grandkids, and be connected to all those lives, or do you want to be alone?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

When you are 80, do you want to be surrounded by family, kids, grandkids, and be connected to all those lives, or do you want to be alone?

that realizations hits much sooner, and for women, much harder..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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