Delaying Marriage Has Serious Consequences For Some, New Research Reveals

Men and women are marrying later in life than ever before, but a new study reveals the costs of delaying your "I dos."

In a report released Friday, the University of Virginia's National Marriage Project found that the average marrying age is at its highest ever: 26.5 for women and 28.7 for men. However, unmarried twenty-somethings reported higher rates of depression and drinking, and lower life satisfaction than their married peers.

Young adults are increasingly seeing marriage as something to do after they have gotten their "ducks in a row," according to the study, rather than as a starting point for adulthood. Ninety-one percent of young adults surveyed said they believe financial independence must precede marriage. [...]