Government ad campaign touts marriage

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A $5 million ad campaign paid for by the U.S. government is touting the benefits of marriage for people in their 20s, a government adviser said.

The campaign is the work of the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center under a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USA Today reports. In addition to a Web site, TwoofUs.org, the campaign includes on-line ads, a YouTube video, spots on radio talk shows, and ads on buses and subways.

"We're not telling people 'Get married' but 'Don't underestimate the benefits of marriage,' " said Paul Amato, a sociologist at Penn State who advises the resource center.

Amato told the newspaper marriage has become "more optional" for young people who may live together for years and have children together before tying the knot -- if they ever do. He said research shows married people tend to be healthier and happier.

The latest federal statistics show there were 7.1 marriages per 1,000 people in 2008, down from 10 per 1,000 in 1986. Americans women now average 26 years old and men 28 at the time they first marry.

Supporters of the campaign say advertising the benefits of marriage is no different from other government ad campaigns to promote healthier behavior, like those aimed at smokers, USA Today said.