Prenuptial agreements, once considered a luxury only the ultra-rich could afford, have become increasingly mainstream in recent years. According to a 2023 Axios/Harris poll, half of US adults now say they're open to signing one, with younger generations driving this trend.
The numbers are staggering. Forty-one percent of Gen Z and 47 percent of millennials who are engaged or have been married signed a prenup, according to the same poll. But what's behind this shift? Experts point to new apps that make it easier and cheaper to draw up prenups, as well as social media influencers touting the value of prenups.
Social media platforms like TikTok have become breeding grounds for personal finance influencers, who share their own experiences with prenups. These influencers often use language that resonates with younger generations, emphasizing the importance of financial hygiene and responsibility in marriage.
The rise of prenups is also being driven by millennials and Gen Z's unique life experiences. Twenty-five percent of millennials are children of divorce or separation, making them more realistic about the possibility of their own marriages ending. As a result, they're taking a proactive approach to protecting their financial interests.
But not everyone is convinced that prenups are the answer. Some argue that these agreements can feel like a privatized solution to the messiness of marriage, rather than a broader societal response to divorce and relationship breakdowns. Others have raised concerns about the complexity and unpredictability of life, which can make it difficult for couples to navigate the nuances of prenups in practice.
As one woman who signed a prenup noted, "What if I book a show? What if I get a movie?" Her comment highlights the challenges of navigating the emotional and financial complexities of marriage, even with the best intentions. Ultimately, the rise of prenups may reflect our increasingly pragmatic approach to relationships β but it also raises important questions about what we value in partnership and what we're willing to sacrifice for love and security.
The numbers are staggering. Forty-one percent of Gen Z and 47 percent of millennials who are engaged or have been married signed a prenup, according to the same poll. But what's behind this shift? Experts point to new apps that make it easier and cheaper to draw up prenups, as well as social media influencers touting the value of prenups.
Social media platforms like TikTok have become breeding grounds for personal finance influencers, who share their own experiences with prenups. These influencers often use language that resonates with younger generations, emphasizing the importance of financial hygiene and responsibility in marriage.
The rise of prenups is also being driven by millennials and Gen Z's unique life experiences. Twenty-five percent of millennials are children of divorce or separation, making them more realistic about the possibility of their own marriages ending. As a result, they're taking a proactive approach to protecting their financial interests.
But not everyone is convinced that prenups are the answer. Some argue that these agreements can feel like a privatized solution to the messiness of marriage, rather than a broader societal response to divorce and relationship breakdowns. Others have raised concerns about the complexity and unpredictability of life, which can make it difficult for couples to navigate the nuances of prenups in practice.
As one woman who signed a prenup noted, "What if I book a show? What if I get a movie?" Her comment highlights the challenges of navigating the emotional and financial complexities of marriage, even with the best intentions. Ultimately, the rise of prenups may reflect our increasingly pragmatic approach to relationships β but it also raises important questions about what we value in partnership and what we're willing to sacrifice for love and security.