Wrong. Not SOCIETY's preference. Society's preference either a) has no effect as those who want to marry will anyway and those who don't won't, or b) has a negative effect in pushing some people into marriages they don't really want and won't sustain (back when society forced most people into marriage and wouldn't let them leave, there were a heck of a lot of meaningless, loveless marriages whose vows were routinely violated - I think we're better off with the modern divorce rate, myself). IF we want more people to marry in this society (an open question, AFAIC, since I think most people who want to marry will do so), marriage needs to be a more attractive option for INDIVIDUALS. The only way government can really help this is by not barring people from marriage who want to marry, and by encouraging factors (like education and financial well-being) that tend to promote success in marriage. I would point out, for example, that areas with better public educational systems, better financial "safety nets" and more socially liberal policies tend to have more successful marriages. The divorce rate in this country is highest in the Bible Belt and lowest in Massachusetts, IIRC.
(no subject)
IF we want more people to marry in this society (an open question, AFAIC, since I think most people who want to marry will do so), marriage needs to be a more attractive option for INDIVIDUALS. The only way government can really help this is by not barring people from marriage who want to marry, and by encouraging factors (like education and financial well-being) that tend to promote success in marriage.
I would point out, for example, that areas with better public educational systems, better financial "safety nets" and more socially liberal policies tend to have more successful marriages. The divorce rate in this country is highest in the Bible Belt and lowest in Massachusetts, IIRC.