Gen Xers marry faster than Gen Ys

June 23, 2009 - PRLog -- In an online survey of 310 respondents by astrology website, It’s In The Stars at www.itsinthestarsonline.com, 21.4% of women aged 31-43 (Generation X) dated for a year or less before they became engaged, compared to only 8.4% of those aged 18-30 (Generation Y).

Of those who dated two years or more before becoming engaged, 64.5% of them were Gen Ys, compared to only 45.6% of Gen-Xers.

“Part of the reason is that Gen-Ys are younger and haven’t been dating as long as Gen-Xers,” said Elizabeth Ball, director of It’s In The Stars.

“By the time the right guy comes along, a Gen X girl recognises him very quickly. And maybe Gen Xers really want to settle down: a whopping 17.4% of them have already been engaged twice compared to only 1.2% of Gen Ys,” she said.”

“And yes, the farmer really does want a wife: 23.6% of rural-based respondents were engaged within a year, compared to only 15.5% of city-based couples.”

Gen-Ys intend to have many more pre-wedding social occasions than Generation X.

The twentysomethings outnumber the thirtysomethings in organising the bridal shower (84.2% vs 65.3%), hen’s and buck’s night (54.9% vs 45.8%), and engagement party (53.2% vs 45.9%). Only Gen-Xers outnumber their younger counterparts in organising the relatively cheaper kitchen teas (12.2% vs 5.8%) and family dinners (7.1% vs 0.5%).

Gen Ys are more likely than Gen-Xers to register for a wider number of gift registries.

“However, they’re surprisingly traditional, with more of them than Gen-Xers preferring to register their wedding gifts with department stores (68.9% vs 61.0%),” said Elizabeth.

“The Gen Ys outnumber Gen-Xers in every gift registry category but particularly in homewares/hardware stores (44.6% vs 30.4%),” she said.

“Many Gen Ys still live at home before they marry and so they need all the household items. Those Gen-Xers who do register are usually upgrading existing furniture, whitegoods and hardware items.”

Nearly four in 10 respondents (38.1%) plan to request gift certificates as part of their wedding gift list with Gen Y again outnumbering Generation X (44.3% vs 38.3%).

“Rural couples are more likely to ask for gift certificates than city-based couples (44.4% vs 38.8%),” Elizabeth said. “This suggests they want a wider choice than is available in their area.”

One in 20 (4.5%) want to register with a travel agency-based registry to put money towards their honeymoon.

“And if you’re keen to know when he’s most likely to propose, November is when most respondents became engaged (12.4%), followed by September (11.7%), and August and December (10.1% each),” said Elizabeth, adding the least likely month for getting engaged was July (5.7%).

It’s In The Stars at www.itsinthestarsonline.com has produced hundreds of beautifully presented LoveStars and BabyStars reports for anniversaries, birthdays, christenings, engagements, new babies, Valentines Day and weddings since 2005.

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www.itsinthestarsonline.com has been producing beautifully presented personalized hardcover astrology reports for couples and parents for anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, christenings, engagements, new babies, weddings, and Valentines Day since 2005.