Aussies still in love with married bliss

Melbourne, May 2 : Their marriage rates might be less than 50 percent, but when it comes to white weddings and married bliss, Aussies continue their love affair with it, according to a new survey.

The latest research shows that 75 per cent of 11,000 adults quizzed don't see marriage as an "outdated institution" - despite marriage rates being less than 50 per cent.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies report also shows two-thirds of Australian adults support men and women living together with no intention of marrying.

This is a major shift from three decades ago, when it was considered scandalous.

The revelations come as 15 per cent of couples now live together without being married - up from just 6 per cent 20 years ago.

Marriage rates have fallen over the past 35 years.

When adults were asked if they thought marriage was an outdated institution, the answer was overwhelmingly no.

"Despite the decline in the marriage rate, there is widespread endorsement of marriage as an institution," News.com.au quoted the study's authors, as saying.

The study found most people accept living together with no intention of marrying. Only one in five disagrees with cohabitation, with disapproval rates up to 40 per cent among those aged in their 70s.

Glenn Findlay, manager of Australian Bridal Service, said marriage endured because women still wanted to be a princess for a day.

The study is published in the latest Family Relationships Quarterly journal.

ANI