"עד החתונה זה יעבור": ? "עמדות של צעירים בשאלה "למה לא להתחחתן

This research deals with marriage, one of the most sensitive issues in contemporary Israeli society, in an attempt to explore the factors that are behind the decisions of many young people today not to marry. Given that this phenomenon has been continuously growing over the past few years and Israeli academia has not yet conducted research on this interesting topic, an investigation into these factors and an explanation of this trend are warranted. A recurring argument in the debate on this issue is the need to consider the different relationship management alternatives that are available. Despite rising individualism that has penetrated Israeli society from Western cultures and its effects on the family, resulting in a steady rise in the marriage age, divorce rates, the number of births out of wedlock, and the number of unmarried couples, the Israeli family unit has maintained its stability, and Israel is considered the most family-oriented country in the Western world. This research project is a pioneer study that focuses on a minority in Israeli society, comprising approximately 5% of society who challenge marriage, one of Israel's fundamental social norms. This research included 123 participants subjects, 59 men (48%) and 64 women (52%). Participants' ages ranged between 22 and 49 (M = 28.44, SD = 4.49). Almost half of the participants were in a relationship at the time of the study; while the remainder were single. A vast majority of the participants (89%) had no children. Findings point to the following criteria for not getting married, in a descending order of importance: the existence of an alternative; disdain for the institution of marriage; disdain for the religious establishment; fear of divorce; fear that marriage will destroy love; economic considerations; the desire to avoid a ceremony; preserving individual freedom; disbelief in monogamy; a negative image of couples that stems from observations of parents. This research, the first of its kind to be conducted in Israel, clearly shows that the number of those who choose not to marry is growing. Accordingly, this phenomenon calls for social and governmental changes that will offer these individuals socially acceptable choices to manage their relationships differently without feeling ostracized.