Survey against late marriage

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A survey done for the National Fatherhood Initiative, which supports marriage and family values, says marrying late does not make for a happy union.

The survey says while Americans are waiting longer to get married, the odds for a happy marriage favor those who tie the knot between the ages of 23 and 27, reports USA Today. It says the average age of first marriage in the country has risen to 26 for women and 27 for men.

The survey was designed and analyzed by University of Texas sociology Professor Norval Glenn for the National Fatherhood Initiative, the report said.

Glenn says the findings should not create panic among those approaching 30.

"Those marriages turned out better but maybe not because of the age. Some people may be just too picky or too choosy or not extremely desirable," he says.

The survey was based on a 15-minute national telephone survey of 1,503 men and women ages 18 and older in late 2003 and early 2004, the report said.