To marry or not to marry?
During the beginning of the 19th century and throughout most of the 20th century, this question did not even cross the minds of young American women. Societal notions taught that premarital sex was unthinkable and that women must marry before having children. However, giving birth outside of marriage was very common among poor women and minorities.
This trend of having children outside of marriage has quickly become the norm in middle class America.
According to Child Trends, the fastest growth occurred among white women in their twenties who had some college education but not a four year degree.
These births outside of marriage became a trend among women under 30, but 59 percent of births among all women still occurred when they were married. According to the New York Times, this surge of early pregnancies is changing the concept of a typical American family, but not always in a positive way.
This shift has a major impact on the children of the future generation. Researchers say children who live in dysfunctional families with a single parent are more at risk of living in poverty, failing school or being victims of emotional and behavioral problems.
According to Frank Furstenberg, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania, marriage has become a luxury good instead of a necessity. In the past, marriage was a way for couples to gain respect in their respective societies. The sexual revolution has had a major effect today concerning marriage.
According to Teresa Fragoso, a twenty-five-year old single mother in Lorain, Ohio, “women used to rely on men, but we don’t need to anymore.” She went on to describe how women are capable of supporting themselves and their children.
While these pregnancies have become increasingly common, college graduates resist this trend. Most graduates marry before having children. If this gap persists, there will be a major class divide in the moral and cultural values of the country. The economic and social rewards of marriage may become reserved for individuals with the most education.
Despite this information, some individuals avoid marriage because they do not want to make the same mistakes as their parents.
Brittany Kidd, another resident of Lorain, wants to make sure she is in a committed relationship before she thinks about children. Her father walked off with her mother’s best friend when she was 13, an event that led her mother into depression and left the whole family financially unstable.
The current economic standing of the United States deters some individuals who may be living together from getting married. The couple’s official household income would rise, leading to a potential loss of government benefits like food stamps and childcare.
Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University, says, “Family is no longer about playing the social role of father or husband or wife, it’s more about individual satisfaction and self-development.” In other words, individuals are looking to fulfill their own dreams or desires without realizing how the situation may be affecting their children.
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