Today's article on birth stats in the U.S. kinda says a few things without saying a few things.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,588734,00.htmlI track these stats too every now and again. The following is quoted from the CDC lest any cry foul.
http://cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm- Childbearing by unmarried women has resumed a steep climb since 2002.
- Births to unmarried women totaled 1,714,643 in 2007, 26% more than in 2002. Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. births were to unmarried women in 2007.
- Birth rates have risen considerably for unmarried women in their twenties and over, while declining or changing little for unmarried teenagers.
- Nonmarital birth rates are highest for Hispanic women followed by black women. Rates for non-Hispanic white and Asian or Pacific Islander women are much lower.
- Most births to teenagers (86% in 2007) are nonmarital, but 60% of births to women 20–24 and nearly one-third of births to women 25–29 were nonmarital in 2007.
- Teenagers accounted for just 23% of nonmarital births in 2007, down steeply from 50% in 1970.
I study alot on extended adolescence too, since I work with primarily 20-30 yo military members, and I've learned a couple things.
- White young men primarily, but increasingly so among Hispanic and Black men, are often remaining in a state of "teenager" well into their early 30's. Often enabled by their parent, or divorced parents.
- So women aren't interested in marrying them, but still want to have children even if it means going alone.
- If the women go ahead and marry the big kid anyway because they're pregnant, the divorce rate among young military couples in that scenario regardless of race is nearly 100%.
- Add to that homosexuality is at least twice as prominent among white young men and women than other ethnic groups.
All of this tells me that some of us need to get out there and stop raising kids, and start raising men.