[The decrease in the number of marriages (author's transl)].

Abstract

Demographers adhere to the thesis that the increasing or decreasing incidence of marriage shows a statistical link to the existing number of males and females in the age group for marriage. For several years now it can be observed that this thesis requires revision. The number of marriages especially the number of marriages in those age groups in which the highest number of men and women absolutely and relatively get married decreases continually. At the same time the number of males and females in these groups increases. This development is a sign of an incipient disconnection of marriage from demographic data such as the number of persons in the age group for marriage and a disconnection for social and economic factors. Causes of this development are primarily the improvement of general education and the liberalization of sexual behavior. The traditional philosophy that all sexual intercourse should serve potential procreation is fading. The low rate of marriages and the low birth rate are signs of this development. Modern contraceptive methods facilitate this development of mature and autonomous persons but also opens a new complex area of new material and philosophical difficulties apart from the legal position of marriage for the protection of the partners and their offspring and for the social stability of their relationships.