This is more likely due to the fact that new marriage overall is on the decline. It's down something like 60%. I don't believe people are less willing to divorce if they need to do so. I think it's more that recent generations are more discerning before they marry. I think they're less willing to make a "leap" because society has told them it was expected. Really, the only reason people need to be contractually married is to satisfy legalities for assets and inheritance.

My son and his girlfriend, and they're friends say no one needs a contractual marriage to be committed partners in life. My son and his girlfriend believe they'll marry some time in the distant future. But, they expect to take each other's names – to agree upon a hyphenate. That seems a popular idea among his cohort. My son seems to lean toward a hyphenate with her name last. Interestingly, she leans toward a hyphenate with his name last. They've said they might do both.

I actually think that's a good idea. First name, middle name, given surname-hyphenated with the partner's name. Example: Susan Jane Louis marries John David James. She takes the hyphenate Louis-James and he takes the hyphenate James-Louis. No one gives up their ancestral name.