The Unhappiness Divide: A Society Segregated by Marriage and Social Ties

The General Social Survey’s recent numbers paint a stark picture of America’s happiness crisis. For nearly five decades, the balance between “very happy” and “not too happy” remained remarkably stable, but since the pandemic hit, it has plummeted to unprecedented levels - a net loss of 20 points, according to economist Sam Peltzman.

The conventional wisdom attributes this decline to economic hardship, particularly among lower-income Americans. However, Peltzman’s data tells a different story. The unhappiness crash disproportionately affected those who were already relatively affluent: white, high-income, college-educated, and right-leaning individuals. This challenges the narrative that inequality is the primary driver of unhappiness.

Peltzman’s research reveals a striking trend: married people continue to be net happy, while unmarried adults - now nearly 45% of American adults - are, on balance, unhappy. The marriage rate itself has remained steady for over a decade, so this isn’t simply a case of fewer people getting married. What changed was the magnitude of unhappiness among unmarried individuals.

Peltzman’s earlier research, in his 2025 paper “The Anatomy of Marital Happiness,” found that cohabiting couples enjoy only about half the marital premium - a happiness boost of around 10 points. The marital advantage holds across various demographics: age, race, income, education, and even sexual orientation.

Brad Wilcox, senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies (IFS), suggests that economic pessimism might contribute to the increase in unhappiness among young people. However, he also cautions that social media’s negativity bias and declines in socializing, dating, and marriage may play a more significant role in this happiness crash.

Younger adults have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. From 2021 to 2024, their unhappiness rate jumped to 26%, compared to 20% for middle-aged individuals and 21% for those over 56. Peltzman notes that young people are a volatile group, but the trend is unmistakable.

Peltzman’s research also shows a striking correlation between happiness levels and perceptions of fair treatment by others. When Americans believe they’re treated fairly, their overall happiness increases. Conversely, when this number crashes - as it did during the pandemic - so does happiness. This suggests that social bonds are fraying.

The unhappiness divide is deeply intertwined with America’s marital and social structures. The consequences will be far-reaching, influencing everything from mental health to economic productivity. Policymakers, researchers, and community leaders must work together to understand the root causes of this crisis and address them head-on.

The happiness crash of 2020 exposed deep-seated fissures in American society. It’s time for policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to come together and tackle these issues with urgency and nuance. Only then can we begin to rebuild the social glue that holds our nation together.

Ultimately, happiness is not just an individual issue but a collective responsibility. By addressing the underlying causes of this crisis and fostering greater empathy and understanding, we can work towards a more united, more supportive, and ultimately happier society.