In this paper we use qualitative interviews, embedded within a large, nationally representative survey, to examine what new unmarried parents say about their plans and expectations for marriage and to determine why they do not marry. The qualitative data shed light on an apparent contradiction that arises from the quantitative analysis. According to the latter, most unmarried parents hold positive views towards marriage and say they plan to marry. Yet only a few actually do so by the time their child is a year old. The qualitative data confirm the finding that parents hold positive views towards marriage. More importantly, they suggest that these views may actually be preventing marriage. To these young parents, marriage means that a couple has “”arrived,”” both financially and emotionally. Because new parents value marriage so highly, they believe they must achieve certain goals before they can get married. We conclude that economic and cultural factors are inextricably linked in the marriage decision, as couples evaluate their financial and emotional readiness for marriage in light of their asessment of the institution’s value.