Love by the numbers

For the last couple months the social commentary in Elle magazine has been remarkable. Following is an excerpt from a recent column titled, Love Actually, by Rachael Combe (Feb 2006 issue, page 202)

Be Scientific: Yeah, yeah, love is magical, it’s a mystery, it’s fate. Whatever, I don’t buy it. It’s biology. It’s statistics. And the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor. In 1995, statisticians projects that about 88% of American women of our generation would marry at least once. Basically, if marriage were a deadly disease, your chances of catching it would be terrifying.

Isn’t that brilliant? Next time you or a girlfriend is freaking out about some guy breaking her heart, or never finding the right guy, or sputtering about how she’ll never get married.. Share that stat with her. It is sure to quell any fears. 'Cause if marriage is a disease, I want nothing to do with it.

In case you were wondering about that remaining 12% they article goes on to say:

The researchers also figured that a portion of that never-marrying 12% were people who were cohabiting – e.g., the Goldie Hawns and Kurt Russells of the world, and gay couples living in states where they can’t get hitched.