Too much effort ... Scarlett Johansson is happily single.[AP]

They've got the Prius and the Porsche in the driveway, millions in the bank and a most beautiful person in the world award as a doorstop. Today's young stars have got it all - except a ring on their finger. Marriage is so last century, it's no longer "I do". It's "I don't care."

While the Desperate To Be Housewives soap opera of speculation on the winsome domestic longings of the likes of Kylie Minogue and Renee Zellweger continues to fill trashy mag column space, the truth of the matter is, more and more celebrities are saying "whatever" to weddings and shunning the walk down the aisle. For them, it's all about spending a few years with someone . . . and then moving on.

Kirsten Dunst, Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller and Penelope Cruz are leading the modern anti-marriage crusade as they fly solo through stardom. Instead of meaningless marriages, these stars are hooking up with the latest hot young studs for some fun without worrying about wedding vows.

And why wouldn't they? With the debris of divorces like Britney Spears's and Jessica Simpson's littering the streets of the Hollywood Hills, it's hardly surprising.

It's not just a Hollywood phenomenon either. In 2001, Australia recorded its lowest marriage rate since 1851. Of the dwindling number of couples who do get hitched, a staggering 73 per cent had spent years living together. And in America, unmarried couples now outnumber married ones for the first time.

"It used to be that women got married for either money, elevation of social status or for families," says Australian sex therapist and marriage counsellor, Dr Gabrielle Morrissey.

"But these days, women - and especially celebrities - are financially independent. They don't need to get married for those things any more. Now they are waiting for the perfect love, their soul mate.

"The pure love marriage is the ideal we are all searching for - whether or not you are a celebrity.

"Young women falling in love release endorphins in the body. But no matter how much in love you are with someone, your body can only produce those endorphins for two years at the most.

"And when they stop getting the endorphin rush, they think they don't love the person any more - and look for someone else. It's all part of the instant gratification culture we now live in."

Cameron Diaz is the ultimate in this respect, hooking up with the hottie du jour before moving on, without any of the Britney Spears break-up baggage in tow. In the past 15 years, she's been in serious relationships with stars such as Matt Dillon, Jared Leto and Justin Timberlake.

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