The Audacious Women team is developing an innovative documentary project tracing the story of marriage in the United States, with a focus on: diverse models of marriage past and present, the rise of the wedding industrial complex, the ongoing fight for marriage equality, and the present decline and uncertain future of marriage.

Less than half of all Americans are married today – 47% – an all-time low. IS MARRIAGE DEAD? will explore the history of marriage; reveal the political, legal, economic and cultural trends that have impacted American marriage practices over time; question why the right to marriage is still not universal; and investigate why fewer Americans are getting married than ever before and what they are doing instead. We will document such topics as: the causes and effects of the retreat from marriage – is it economics, race, education – or is the institution just outdated?; and how celebrity and influencer culture has changed the wedding industry – inflating costs and expectations. We will also profile those that continue to support traditional marriage, and those that are pursuing new options for partnership, from polyamory to sologamy (marrying yourself) to remaining single.