The Collapse of Marriage, Cheating Rates and Single-parent and One-Person Households

This is a complex and controversial topic that has many factors and perspectives involved. There is no definitive answer, but some information and statistics can be provided that may aid in the better understanding of the situation.

According to the web search results, here are some facts and trends about marriage, divorce and cheating rates in the U.S. and around the world:

- The U.S. has the world's highest rate of children living in single-parent households. Almost a quarter of U.S. children under the age of 18 live with one parent and no other adults (23%), more than three times the share of children around the world who do so (7%). 

- The percentage of U.S. families with their own children under 18 in the household declined from 2002 to 2022. There were 37.9 million one-person households, 29% of all U.S. households in 2022. In 1960, single-person households represented only 13% of all households. 

- Single-Person Households to Record 128 Percent Growth by 2030.

- About 30 percent of America’s families with children under 18 years old, amounting to 10 million households, are single-parent families. The share of American families with children living with a single parent has tripled since 1965. 

- Twenty percent of men cheat compared to 13 percent of women. About 44% of unmarried and 18% of married couples experience infidelity. Up to 50% of all divorces in the U.S. are primarily caused by extramarital affairs. 

- According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate for second marriages is even higher, with approximately 60-67% of second marriages ending in divorce. 

- The population with a divorced marital status will be by far the fastest growing segment at 78.5 percent over 2000-2030.

- The average length of a marriage prior to divorce is eight years. Divorces take time and money. Contested divorces usually take over a year to finalize and cost an average of $7,000. About 50% of partners who did have affairs are still married, compared to 75% of partners who never cheated.

- The proportion of people who are getting married is going down in many countries across the world.

There are many possible reasons and explanations for why people cheat, divorce, or choose to be single parents. Some of the common factors include:

- Lack of satisfaction, intimacy, communication, or compatibility in the relationship 
- Differences in values, goals, expectations, or lifestyles 
- Conflicts, arguments, abuse, or violence 
- Financial stress, unemployment, or debt 
- Personal issues, such as low self-esteem, addiction, mental health, or trauma 
- Opportunity, temptation, curiosity, or boredom 
- Cultural norms, social pressure, or legal barriers

However, these factors do not apply to everyone, and each individual and couple may have their own unique circumstances and motivations. Some people may also have positive experiences and outcomes from being single parents, divorced, or remarried. Therefore, it is important to avoid making generalizations or judgments based on statistics alone.