Family is the basis of Muslim society and marriage is the foundation on which the family rests. Notwithstanding the resurgence of Christian fundamentalist thing and or the conservative political drive to enshrine ‘family values’ in American society, Muslim family values are—at least on the surface—out of step with the mainstream of Western society and its views on marriage and family. Yet, American Muslims are beginning to follow the Western trend of either marrying later or not marrying at all, despite the fact that Islam clearly favors the institution of marriage.

Studies show that there has been a significant drop in the marriage rate over the past three decades. These declining rates can be attributed to the delayed age for first marriages. In 1998, the median age of first marriages was 26.7 for men and 25 for women compared to 22.8 for men and 20.3 for women in 1950. A key factor in contributing to the rise in the median age of marriages is the fact that more people are seeking higher degrees in education, and this incidentally leads to a more demanding work schedule. Also with more people becoming aware of the increasing divorce rat

Divorce in Muslim American Marriages

The decrease in marriage rates can also be attributed to a disappointing marriage experience or a general fear of failure in marriage. The declining rates of remarriage after divorce, increasing rates of cohabitation, and increasing divorce rates all contribute to the ever-decreasing marriage rates in America. Ten percent of United States adults were “currently divorced” in 1998 compared to 3.2 percent in 1970. The instability of marriage affects everyone, but the children are hurt most of all by being raised in such an insecure environment. One-third of all children born today are born out-of wedlock.

es, individuals want to make sure they are committed and financially stable before going into the sacred union, so they search for a employment base. The average female income is on the rise; therefore, women are not as in need of the financial stability of a marriage. With over an 800% increase of people living together before or in place of marriage and with over 50% of all marriages being preceded by a trial marriage of cohabitation, people are marrying later because they have an inclination to test the relationship through cohabitation.

Trends and Patterns of American Islamic Marriages

In traditional Muslim society, marriages are arranged by parents, although the bride and the groom must both consent to the marriage. In practice, most marriages are arranged so that brides are the third part in the arrangement—the groom and the family come to an agreement prior to talking to the bride. The review of literature on American Muslim marriage suggests that the trend away from arranged marriages—evident in 1960s-1980s—is now beginning to reverse itself, with a marked increase in arranged marriages, usually by the parents. Arranged marriages are viewed both as a way to preserve Muslim family values and to show respect to parents. Despite the reversion to arranged marriages, American Muslims are getting married later than they have ever before.22

The United States is strengthened by cultural identity, not cultural assimilation.

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