A new study by Bowling Green State University reports that the marriage rate in the United States has dropped from 92.3 percent in 1920—that is 92 marriages per 1,000 unmarried women—to 31 percent today, the lowest rate in a century.

And since 1970 the marriage rate has seen the bulk of that drop, declining by almost 60 percent.

Furthermore, the rate has declined for all racial and ethnic groups.

The math is easy.

One and one do not necessarily make two people joined in marriage.

The drop in the marriage rate by two-thirds in the past 70 years might be expected to have only one silver lining—fewer couples getting divorced. But that lining is actually more rusted metal than silver because the proportion of couples separated or divorced has increased dramatically, according to the university’s study.

Cupid’s bow seems as active as ever but the marriage vow is clearly an endangered species.

“I do” has become “I won’t.”

—JKW—