Does Marriage Have a Future? What It Means for Fertility and Family Planning Today

Is the traditional concept of marriage fading away? And how does this shift impact fertility and family building?

A recent thought-provoking article from The New Atlantis titled Does Marriage Have a Future? dives deep into how technology and social changes are unbundling what once was the ‘package deal’ of marriage. From the Industrial Revolution to the sexual revolution propelled by the pill, right up to AI girlfriends today, marriage as an institution is evolving — sometimes rapidly. But what does this mean for people trying to start families or expand them?

Let’s break down this seismic shift and what it means for fertility, especially home fertility solutions that many are turning to in these changing times.

The Unbundling of Marriage: A Fertility Perspective

Marriage historically bundled multiple needs: romance, social recognition, financial stability, and childbearing. But as the article outlines, new technologies and social paradigms are peeling these layers apart:

Reproductive autonomy has never been higher, with birth control and assisted reproduction technologies giving people unprecedented choice in timing and method.
Alternative family structures — co-parenting, single parenthood, LGBTQ+ families — are becoming more common and socially accepted.
Technology-driven intimacy like AI companions challenges the traditional romantic model.

What’s crucial here is that family-building no longer requires a traditional marriage certificate. This opens doors for many who want children but not necessarily traditional marriage. However, it also means individuals need more accessible, flexible fertility options.

Home Fertility Solutions: Empowering Individual Choices

This is where home fertility technologies shine. MakeAMom, for example, offers a range of at-home insemination kits tailored for different fertility challenges. Whether it’s low sperm motility, frozen sperm, or specific medical conditions, these kits provide a cost-effective, private, and empowering path to conception outside clinical settings.

The CryoBaby kit is optimized for frozen or low-volume sperm samples.
The Impregnator kit works well with low motility sperm.
The BabyMaker is specially designed for those with sensitivities like vaginismus.

With an average client success rate of 67%, MakeAMom’s solutions are reshaping how people conceive. And importantly, shipments arrive discreetly, respecting privacy — a vital concern for those navigating non-traditional family structures or personal fertility journeys.

Why This Matters in 2025

In a world where the definition of family is diversifying, and marriage may no longer be the prerequisite for parenthood, fertility solutions need to be adaptive and accessible. The rise of at-home insemination kits aligns perfectly with these trends, offering:

Autonomy: You control your family-building process.
Flexibility: Kits are reusable and tailored to specific needs, making them adaptable to a variety of situations.
Affordability: More budget-friendly than many clinical procedures.

The implications extend beyond convenience — they represent a fundamental shift in reproductive health empowerment.

The Bigger Picture: Relationships, Technology, and Fertility

Technology’s role in unbundling marriage also raises questions about relationship dynamics and support systems around fertility:

How do partnerships evolve when marriage is optional or redefined?
What emotional and social support is needed for individuals pursuing parenthood alone or in unconventional arrangements?
How can technology simultaneously connect and isolate users in their fertility journeys?

Navigating these questions is part of the broader cultural conversation, and resources like community forums, counseling, and trusted providers become crucial.

Final Thoughts: The Future is Flexible and Personal

Marriage as a social institution might be transforming, but the desire to build families remains a powerful human drive. Emerging technologies in fertility, such as the versatile and scientifically supported home insemination kits from organizations like MakeAMom, provide pragmatic tools that meet the needs of today’s diverse family planners.

So, what do you think? Is traditional marriage becoming obsolete in the context of family building? Or are we witnessing a natural evolution that demands new fertility solutions? Share your thoughts and experiences below — let’s navigate this brave new world together.

Reference: Does Marriage Have a Future? The New Atlantis, 2025.