Relationship Predictions For 2012

Waiting To Say I Do

At the end of this year, Pew Research Center confirmed that marriage rates are down, with only 51 percent of Americans over the age of 18 married. Yet, other data confirms that 90 percent of people wed by age 50. The reason for the postponement? A new study suggests that fear of divorce is what's keeping people in their 20s from walking down the aisle. With divorce anxiety unlikely to subside anytime soon, the trend toward tentativeness will continue, with being single at 30 becoming the new norm.

Staying Not Straying

We saw not only a glut of celebrity scandal in 2011, but also a rise in infidelity, in general due—at least in part—to the sluggish economy. The tides may turn this year as people realize that an affair is merely a temporary escape from real life, not a solution. "I think couples will have more of a 'we're in this together' type of mindset when it comes to approaching life's adversities and will be more motivated to work it out if things get difficult in their marriages," says Christina Steinorth, psychotherapist and author of Cue Cards for Life: Thoughtful Tips for Better Relationships.

DIY Therapy

For help with relationships, more and more couples are turning to technology. With money still tight for many, alternative forms of therapy are on the rise, one being IceBreak, an iPhone app that helps couples reconnect thanks to ice-breaker–type questions, "Date Night Coins" (redeemable for movie tickets and other outings) and reminders for important dates—like your anniversary.

JOIN US: Follow Glo on Facebook

Girl Code Revival

One of the biggest stories at the end of 2011 involved Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa, who filed for divorce after 10 years of marriage. Her decision was allegedly sparked by her fellow "basketball wives," who revealed information their husbands had shared about Bryant's multiple transgressions. While we hope no one finds herself on either side of this predicament, the solidarity of these women is encouraging and a reminder that we need to look out for one another.

Election Tension

The 2012 presidential election may throw a wrench in new relationships. While a poll by YourTango found that 77 percent of respondents would date across party lines, another study shows that if you want to find "the one," then you should share political views. The study found that people rank politics above both appearance and personality in terms of what they consider most important in a "perfectly matched" mate. "Skip 'What's your sign?' and go straight to 'Obama or Palin?'" says John Alford, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Rice University and lead author of the study.

Booming Love

In 2012, baby boomers will step into the dating spotlight, according to OurTime.com, currently the largest online dating site for singles over 50. The site recently reported that nearly 60 percent of single boomers put "finding love" at the top of their New Year's resolutions list for 2012, and more than half rank it as their No. 1 priority in the New Year.

Just Friends

With ABC's hit show Happy Endings gaining a loyal following, the dynamics of male-female friendships are being redefined. The sitcom manages to capture the nuances of real-life relationships (like the innocent flirtatiousness between the "work wife" and "work husband"). Perhaps in 2012 more of us will take a cue from this ragtag group of friends, especially as we delay marriage and trade the traditional girls' and boys' nights for more diverse group outings. That way, we can learn and grow from both sides of the gender lines.