Michael Knowles Analyzes New Poll Showing 12th Grade Girls Less Interested in Marriage Than Boys on The Michael Knowles Show

Top Points

• A new poll shows a historic reversal in marriage expectations among high school seniors: For the first time on record, 12th grade girls report wanting to get married at lower rates than 12th grade boys.

• Michael Knowles argues this shift reflects what he calls a “perverse society:” He believes cultural messaging now discourages young women from valuing marriage and long-term commitment, contributing to pessimism about adulthood and family life.

• Knowles warns the trend could have serious long-term societal effects: He points to potential consequences such as falling birth rates, social fragmentation, and increased loneliness if fewer young women aspire to marriage and family.

Full Report:

On a recent episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles discussed a newly released poll that revealed a surprising cultural shift: for the first time since such data has been tracked, 12th grade girls report wanting to get married at lower rates than 12th grade boys. Knowles examined the findings in detail and offered his interpretation of what the shift suggests about current social trends.

A Historic Reversal in Marriage Expectations

Knowles began by breaking down the poll’s headline statistic. Historically, young women have consistently expressed stronger interest in marriage than young men, both in national surveys and in long-term sociological studies. The new poll, showing the opposite pattern among high school seniors, caught Knowles’ attention as a meaningful cultural marker.

He noted that while the specific percentages fluctuated by region and demographic group, the overall trend remained consistent across the data set. According to Knowles, this reversal represents a significant departure from generations of prior polling on American youth.

Knowles Calls the Trend Reflective of a Troubled Cultural Moment

In his commentary, Knowles argued that the declining interest among young women in marriage reflects deeper societal issues. He described the shift as a sign of what he called a “perverse society,” meaning, in his view, a society in which traditional values and aspirations have been disrupted or distorted.

Knowles pointed to several cultural influences he believes may be contributing to the change. These included online messaging that devalues long-term commitment, shifting norms around relationships, and broader anxieties about family formation. He suggested that many teenage girls may be responding to narratives that portray marriage as a burden rather than a life goal.

Knowles said the trend is not simply about marriage itself, but about what he views as a growing sense of pessimism among young people regarding adulthood, family, and future stability.

Concerns About Long-Term Social Implications

The host also discussed the broader societal implications of the poll, focusing on what future generations might look like if fewer young women express interest in forming families. Knowles argued that declining marriage expectations could contribute to lower birth rates, social fragmentation, and increased loneliness among young adults.

He stated that the poll should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and cultural leaders to address the messages teenagers receive about relationships and long-term commitments.

Knowles acknowledged that high school attitudes do not always translate directly into adult decisions but maintained that the direction of the trend is notable and worth serious attention.

A Debate Likely to Continue

Knowles closed the segment by saying that the poll raises important questions about how American culture influences young people’s expectations for their futures. While the conversation sparked strong reactions online, he stated that further research will be needed to understand the full meaning of the findings.

For viewers, the episode provided an in-depth look at how one commentator interprets shifting attitudes toward marriage and what he believes those attitudes signal about modern society.

References

• The Daily Wire. (2025, April 26). Michael Knowles analyzes new poll showing shifting marriage attitudes among high school seniors. Retrieved from https://www.dailywire.com

• Newsmax. (2025, April 24). Poll reveals surprising reversal in teen views on marriage. Retrieved from https://www.newsmax.com

• Fox News. (2025, April 22). Analysts discuss declining interest in marriage among American youth. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com

• Wall Street Journal. (2025, April 18). Youth surveys show changing expectations on family and adulthood. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com

• Reuters. (2025, April 16). National education poll finds shifting priorities among high school seniors. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com