The New Unequal Marriage

Once upon a time in the United States, it was quite common for highly educated men to marry women with lower educational backgrounds. However, starting in the mid-20th century, as more and more women began attending college, marriage seemed to move toward greater equality—at least in one aspect: an increasing number of men and women were marrying partners with similar educational levels. In recent years, however, this trend appears to have stalled or even reversed. The educational gap between heterosexual couples is once again widening. And this time? It is women who are "marrying down."

Researchers debate whether marriages between individuals with similar educational backgrounds (homogamous marriages) are declining. But one thing is clear: the phenomenon of women marrying men with lower levels of education—what scholars call "hypogamous marriages"—is on the rise. In fact, women are now more likely to marry less-educated men than men are to marry less-educated women. Christine Schwartz, a sociology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared data with me on trends in the educational status of heterosexual married couples from 1940 to 2020. According to her calculations, by 2020, in 44.5% of heterosexual marriages in the United States, husbands and wives had roughly the same level of education—down from over 47% in the early 21st century. Among cross-educational marriages, the majority (62%) were hypogamous, up from 39% in 1980. Cornell University economics professor Benjamin Goldman analyzed the data slightly differently and found that among Americans born in 1930, only 2.3% ended up in marriages where the wife had a four-year degree while the husband did not. Among those born in 1980, this figure had risen to 9.6%. (This trend is not unique to the U.S.; hypogamous marriages are becoming more common worldwide.)

Behind this phenomenon lies a profound shift in societal perceptions of gender roles. In the past, men were often seen as the primary economic providers for their families, while women's educational and career aspirations were largely confined to domestic roles. However, as women’s educational attainment and social status have risen, more and more women in marriages now have education levels equal to or even higher than their male partners. Nevertheless, the growing trend of hypogamous marriages may reflect a lingering attachment to traditional gender norms. Women marrying less-educated men may not be solely a matter of personal choice; it could also be shaped by social expectations, economic pressures, and cultural values.

Moreover, the emergence of "marrying down" may point to structural challenges in modern marriage. For example, instability in men’s incomes or careers may make it harder for them to establish stable marriages with similarly educated women. As educational inequality deepens, this trend could further expand, potentially affecting gender equality within marriage.

While educational disparities in modern marriages are becoming more pronounced, they also offer a critical perspective: marriage is no longer just about the union of two individuals but a reflection of broader societal structures, cultural shifts, and evolving gender roles. As women continue to make strides in education and the workforce, future marriage patterns may become more diverse and complex. And perhaps, this transformation will prompt us to rethink the true meaning of marriage—not merely as a bond of love and commitment but as a profound reflection on personal growth, social change, and gender equality.