EAGAN, Minn. – According to results of a survey conducted by online legal resource, FindLaw.com, 18 percent of Americans say they are postponing big decisions such as getting married, having children or getting a divorce because of the lousy economy.

Survey results conclude:

• 1 in 10 Americans postponing marriage
• 1 in 10 Americans delaying having children
• 6 percent of Americans delaying adoption
• 4 percent of Americans postponing divorce.
  

The survey revealed some disturbing trends among young people in particular.

“The economy is having an especially profound effect on young people,” said FindLaw, which noted in a press release issued Wednesday that nearly 40 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 are delaying marriage, divorce or having children.

“A quarter of people in that age group say they are postponing having children due to the economy. Nearly as many – 21 percent – say the economy is causing them to delay their plans to get married,” the announcement said.

Not surprisingly, the survey also revealed that major life decisions are being delayed most frequently by people in the lower income ranges. 35 percent of those with annual incomes below $35,000 say they are delaying marriage, divorce or having children because of the economy, compared with only seven percent of those with incomes of $75,000 a year or more.