While the wedding season opens, this celebration remains a strong and meaningful commitment for a majority of French people. Nevertheless, this tacit contract between two lovers also leads to its share of friction: for more than a third of French people, the marriage contract appears as an attack on romanticism.
One in ten French people consider the marriage contract as “evidence of distrust”
To better understand the perception of the French on this subject, Ymanci entrusted the Flashs Institute with the realization of a survey of more than 2000 French and major French people, more than half of which are married or have been. Result ? If marriage still seems to seduce, it is also a source of conflicts, stress and disappointments.
“”Marriage continues to occupy a central place in the sentimental imagination of the French. It remains above all a symbol of romantic commitment, far a simple administrative approach. But this ideal is confronted with a very concrete reality: the weight of the budget“, Reveals Léa Paolacci, manager of flashes.
However, let us reassure refractory: 64 % of French people consider (still) that marriage is proof of romantic commitment. Only a minority (15 %) claims that it is a legal or administrative formality. This being, many young people who consider that the marriage contract affects the romanticism of the Union. And the figures speak for themselves:
- More than a quarter of married people or having been (27 %) signed a marriage contract;
- This legal commitment is perceived by 51 % of French people as a way of protecting each other and by 27 % as a guarantee in the event of divorce;
- One in ten people (10 %) sees in this contract proof of mistrust and 7 % unnecessary formality;
- Among the respondents who did not sign a marriage contract, 39 % say they would react well if their partner wanted to establish one, and 35 % that it would be equal to them;
- 15 % nevertheless claim that they would react poorly to such a request;
- 60 % of French people do not consider that this contract is harming the romanticism of marriage. But they are still almost a third party to think of the opposite;
- Among those who, on the contrary, see it as an attack, the youngest are the most numerous: 44 % of the under 35s are of this opinion against 26 % among those over 65.
Spend the right amount
Other interesting figures revealed by the study: the French report to money in this context – the sums spent during marriage. So :
- Almost two thirds (63 %) of married people or having been mainly assumed the cost of their union by drawing from their personal savings;
- 33 % have benefited from major support from their families, while only 3 % used a credit;
- 22 % of under 35s mainly paid for their marriage thanks to family support against 41 % among those over 65;
- A married person or having been on five (20 %) considers with hindsight that he should have devoted less money to his marriage against 10 % who believe that they should have spent more;
- But 60 % of respondents have no regrets and think they spent the right amount;
- The cost of marriage is the second reason that would dissuade those currently unmarried to (re) marry: 30 % of them invoke it. The prospect of divorce leads the obstacles, cited by 37 % of the respondents concerned.
“The French do not give up the party, but ultimately wish to live it according to their means. This desire to avoid debt, to assume expenses thanks to their savings or with family aid, testifies to a more pragmatic relationship to this striking event”, confirms Léa Paolacci. “”In short, the study reveals an approach to marriage that is both emotional and rational. If romantic engagement remains central, financial considerations weigh significantly in the choices of French: ceremony budget, funding methods, recourse limited to credit“Concludes the expert.