Recent statistics have shown that four of every ten babies born in America are born to unmarried parents.
40 years ago, the typical unmarried pregnant woman was a teenager. The times, they are a changin'...teens make up just 23% of non-marital births.
Now 60% of unwed mothers are in their 20s and 17% are in their 30s. But even though these women are not married, many are living with the father of their child.
Experts who compare American out of wedlock births to those in Europe, say the differences are vast. Children living in countries with very high levels of "free" social services (not forgetting that taxes are far higher) and paid maternity leaves of up to a year fare a lot better than children born out of wedlock in the United States where paid maternity leave is rare and healthcare is not universal.
For no known reason, out of wedlock births maintained a status quo from 1995 to 2002 and is now on the rise again - quite a rapid rise. In fact, the rise is 26% higher in 2007 than it was in 2002. Some believe children in America born out of wedlock face similar childhoods to any other kids - others believe that financial and emotional costs are far higher for these children and that kids born into marriage generally fare better - despite the chance of divorce down the line. According to the report from the CDC, births to unmarried mothers face higher risks of low birth weight babies, preterm babies, and are at a higher infant mortality weight.
The highest rates of out of wedlock births are in D.C. (59%) and Mississippi (54%) and the lowest rate is in Utah (20%). 86% of births to teenage moms are out of wedlock.
Tell Us
Do you think it makes a difference to children that they are born out of wedlock? Why? Why not?
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment1 Comments
This has become a more common occurrence over the last couple decades. Mothers have become younger and younger. I am 32 years old and I am a minority in my social group with no children. My best friend has four children and has been living with her boyfriend for over 10 years with no marriage talk.
In my group of friends (10 women), only one is on her way to marriage (engaged), 9 women have children and 9 out of 9 have never been married. Wow! I guess I never really took it all into consideration.
I wonder if there are underlying reasons. I was previously married and I am not sure I would go through with marriage again. The main reason would be the legality of it. Divorces make lawyers rich, the couples poor and no one wins. After my marriage ended, I spent 8 years with a man which ended with him leaving with the clothes on his back. This is all he brought into the relationship. Easy break up and no legal means necessary.
Another main reason I believe is that marriage is no longer sacred. Religion has become a joke in many cultures with the younger generations. I think attending mass, church, synagogue, which ever you prefer is no longer essential in many homes. I know in the Catholic religion, and pardon my dismay; you have to get married in order to die. I laugh about this statement since I was born, raised and attended Catholic school for 9 years. Catholicism teaches that there is Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, etc. to include Marriage and then Final Rights. I don’t believe that God would judge us if we didn’t meet each step. Catholicism is a rough religion to swallow in my eyes which made me unreligious in my life now. I could never ask questions in school and nothing ever made sense.
One more thought on the subject would be cost effectiveness. I have neighbors that workfor a party hall. They have had so many cancellations due to the economic DEPRESSION. Yes, I said depression. It is expensive to get married, unless there is no ceremony or party afterwards which takes the fun out of the celebration of marriage.
Do you agree? Do you think that marriage laws will change in the future? Do you think common law marriages will resurrect into State laws since so many people are no longer getting married?
May 16, 2009 - 10:28amThis Comment