The Pew Research Center published the statistic and related demographic analysis June 28 after examining U.
Census Bureau data. Pew disaggregated the data by sex, race and education. The statistics matter because of the relationship between marriage and happiness, Wilcox said.
To have that freedom for fun things, but not recognizing that for most of us, having a spouse, having children, having eventually grandchildren, end up being a lot more important than the size of our bank account or the prestige or stimulation of our job. Religious adults are more likely to be dating and marrying, Wilcox said.
The U. Census Bureau data β and the underlying situation β flags a ministry need for singles the church often struggles to meet, said Anastasia Northrop, director of the National Catholic Singles Conference.
Northrop, who is single, founded the National Catholic Singles Conference in to help single Catholics receive faith formation, socialize and seek holiness in their state of life. Meanwhile, the church needs to do a better job at helping singles of different ages feel like they belong in parish life, whether or not they want to marry, Northrop said. She recommends single Catholics not wait for their parish or diocese to provide single-focused events, but instead work to build community and share their gifts.
