You mention I quote stats. Accurate and very telling stats.
You mention it's "sad" and you "feel" sorry.
I think I got it. Nothing else needed to say about that.
On another note, about the royal part. I know you're not talking to me, as I wasn't married, divorced, or have paid a fortune to a woman. But as far as what type of women men are picking, its just a sampling of women in the US in general.
You mentioned the word relationships. I'm fine with relationships. Just never get married, if you're a male.
Lastly, what you refer to as a cynical view, is what I call being aware of reality. When a man gets married, he enters a contract, where he no longer controls his future with a 100% guarantee. At any time, a wife can file, and a judge with a black robe will decree what amount he must pay and for how long. And if he doesn't comply? Incarceration.
Hopefully this explains to you why men are refusing to marry, as opposed to a couple generations ago, when it made sense to marry.