The “Real” Marriage Squeeze

Among persons in midlife, about one in five is unmarried. The sex ratio in this group is about 80, which is markedly unbalanced. Although changes in fertility and in mortality are contributing factors, the “real” squeeze is due largely to the ubiquitous norm that husbands should be older than their wives. This mating gradient is the most significant determinant of the competition for mates as it is experienced by older unmarried women compared with older unmarried men. The nature and magnitude of this marriage squeeze are demonstrated using Canadian vital statistics and census data. Age differentials of brides and grooms in all marriages registered in 1981 are used to create “availability indices” that estimate the number of unmarried persons of the opposite sex that are potentially available for every 100 unmarried persons. For men, availability indices are low in the 20s, and they increase with advancing age to about one-to-one in the 50s. For women, access to potential grooms is highest in the 20s and decreases with advancing age until, in the 50s, there are only 50 potential grooms per 100 unmarried women. The implications of unbalanced sex ratios are discussed with reference to changes in marriage and the family. Markedly skewed sex ratios may shift the balance of power between the sexes and produce a demographic reaffirmation of the double standard.