A growing anti-marriage movement, amplified by social media trends and celebrity commentary, may ultimately leave women at a disadvantage, according to a USA Today column. Columnist Ingrid Jacques describes this phenomenon as "heteropessimism," a sentiment of disappointment and antagonism toward relationships with men, which she argues is widening the divide between the sexes.
Jacques cites viral trends such as "divorce glow-ups" and anti-male literature as contributors to this trend. She points to bestselling novels where male characters are depicted as lazy or toxic figures. For instance, in the novel "Yesteryear," husbands are described as "freaks," "idiotic man-babies," or part of a "manosphere."
The column connects this societal shift to declining marriage and birth rates in the United States. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that by 2025, only 47% of American households were married couples, a significant decrease from nearly 66% 50 years prior. Correspondingly, households with married couples and children under 18 fell from 54% in 1975 to 37% in 2025.
Jacques suggests a link between this trend and liberal ideology, stating that left-leaning individuals are more likely to opt out of traditional family structures compared to conservatives. She notes the public celebration of women who choose singlehood or life after divorce, referencing figures like "Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert and model Emily Ratajkowski. Comedian Leslie Jones has also criticized marriage, calling it "legalized slavery."
A 2024 American Family Survey found that among liberal women aged 18 to 40, only 12% reported being completely satisfied with their lives, compared to 37% of conservative women and 28% of moderate women in the same age group.
The trend is also visible on social media platforms like TikTok, where "divorce glow-up" videos showcase women appearing happier after their splits. Jacques, referencing author Louise Perry, suggests that young women may be disillusioned by "hookup culture" and a lack of genuine friendships with men. Jacques advocates for a return to marriage, rather than the complete abandonment of relationships with men, as a remedy for the growing cultural divide, concluding that "discounting marriage won't get them there."