Some Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics regarding marriage, families and parenting. I hope to shed some light on some trends.  The first trend is that each year there appears to be a lower percentage of people married in the US. These statistics come from Divorcemag.com

In 2002 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970) of the people in the US were married

The percentage of people that are divorced is also on the rise; in 2002 it was 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980)

Percentage of married people who reach their 5th, 10th, and 15th anniversaries:
5th: 82%
10th: 65%
15th: 52%

Percentage of married people who reach their 25th, 35th, and 50th anniversaries:
25th: 33%
35th: 20%
50th: 5%

Percentage of people who have ever been married by the age of 55: Both males and females: 95%

Most people will get married in this country by the age of 55. However, half of the people getting married will most likely get divorced. This trend is having a detrimental effect on our children. Here are some statistics to shed the light on our children.

Percentage of households, which are family households: 68.8%

Percentage of married householders with kids: 24%

Percentage of family households with children with only one parent in 1998: 27%

Number of unmarried couples living together in 2002: 5.5 million

Number of children in new divorces each year as of 1997: 1 million

Percentage of parents who had never married in 1998:
Males: 35%
Females: 42%

Number of single parents:
Males: 2.04 million
Females: 9.68 million

Percentage of children under 18 years of age living with both parents (2002): 69%

Percentage of births which were to unmarried women in 1997: 32%

Almost 70% of households are family households and yet 31% of our children are not living with both parents. Given the growing research about the need for both parents in healthy child development, we have a growing number of children who are not getting what they need.