SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said that while there has been a gradual decline in marriages over the years, 2020 was a “very difficult year” particularly for long-term commitments. “First, with the uncertain global economic outlook and challenges to financial stability, many would delay long-term investments like marriage and family formation,” she said. “That aside, the circuit breaker rules and norms on social distancing as well as restrictions on food and beverage all made it harder to plan for weddings," Prof Straughan added.
