Shocking new survey reveals how many young Americans want to get married, have kids in 2025

New York Post - May 10th, 2025
Open on New York Post

A recent Harvard Youth Poll reveals a shift in priorities among young Americans aged 18 to 29, with fewer than half considering having children important. Only 48% of respondents see procreation as crucial, and even fewer believe it's attainable. Marriage also ranks low, with just 57% valuing it. Instead, 67% prioritize finding a long-term romantic relationship. These findings highlight a significant change in traditional life goals, as financial security and home ownership top the list of priorities.

The survey also uncovers political and gender differences in attitudes towards marriage and family. Conservatives are more likely to value having children and marriage than liberals, with 69% of Republicans supporting procreation versus 43% of Democrats. Additionally, gender disparities exist, with women showing more confidence in finding long-term partners and valuing political agreement in relationships more than men. These trends suggest evolving social norms and potential implications for future demographic patterns and societal structures.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded overview of the changing priorities among young Americans, focusing on life goals such as financial security, marriage, and family. It is based on credible data from the Harvard Youth Poll, which supports the accuracy and reliability of the findings. The story is timely and addresses topics of public interest, with the potential to influence societal discussions.

However, the article could be improved by incorporating more perspectives from the young Americans surveyed, as well as expert commentary to provide deeper analysis. Enhancing transparency with more methodological details and exploring the controversies in greater depth would also strengthen the piece.

Overall, the story effectively communicates important trends but could benefit from additional context and analysis to maximize its impact and engagement with readers.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately presents the findings from the Harvard Youth Poll, as evidenced by the alignment of the reported statistics with the survey results. For instance, it correctly notes that only 48% of young Americans consider having children important, and 46% believe it is within reach. These figures match the data from the poll. Additionally, the ranking of life goals, with financial security as the top priority, is also consistent with the survey findings.

However, there are areas that require further verification, such as the specific percentages related to gender differences in relationship goals and the emphasis on political agreement in relationships. These details are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the survey results but are not fully explored in the story.

Overall, the story provides a truthful and precise account of the survey data, though it could benefit from deeper exploration of certain statistics and their implications.

7
Balance

The story presents a balanced view of the survey results, highlighting differences in priorities among young Americans based on gender and political affiliation. It fairly represents the perspectives of both men and women, as well as Republicans and Democrats, in terms of their life goals and values.

However, the article could improve by including more perspectives from the young Americans surveyed. Direct quotes or detailed explanations of why certain demographics prioritize specific goals would add depth and balance to the reporting. Without these insights, the story risks oversimplifying complex social trends.

Overall, the story does a commendable job of presenting various viewpoints, but it could enhance its balance by incorporating more voices and context.

8
Clarity

The story is written in clear and accessible language, making it easy for readers to understand the key findings and implications of the survey. The structure is logical, with a progression from general survey results to specific demographic insights.

The use of statistics is effective in conveying the main points, although the article could benefit from more explanatory context to help readers interpret the numbers. For instance, discussing the broader societal trends that might influence the prioritization of financial security over family goals would provide valuable context.

Overall, the story is clear and well-organized, but it could enhance comprehension by providing additional background information.

9
Source quality

The story relies on data from the Harvard Youth Poll, a reputable and authoritative source, which lends credibility to its findings. The poll's methodology and sample size are robust, providing a reliable foundation for the article's claims.

The story does not cite additional sources, which could have enriched its analysis. For instance, expert commentary or historical context about changing societal values could provide a more comprehensive view of the trends discussed.

Despite this, the primary source's quality is high, supporting the story's reliability and authority.

6
Transparency

The story provides basic transparency by mentioning the source of its data, the Harvard Youth Poll, and the sample size of over 2,000 young Americans. However, it lacks detailed information about the survey's methodology, such as how the questions were framed or the demographic breakdown of respondents.

Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which could affect the interpretation of the data. For example, understanding the political leanings of the poll's sponsors or the context in which the survey was conducted would enhance transparency.

Overall, while the story is transparent about its data source, it could improve by offering more context and methodological details.

Sources

  1. https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/50th-edition-spring-2025
  2. https://theharvardpoliticalreview.com/marriage-money-youth-priorities/
  3. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/announcements/50th-harvard-youth-poll-finds-generation-edge
  4. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-youth-poll-harvard-approval-b2738909.html
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgoR__1ffWw