Effects Of Cohabitation On African Americans

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“Blacks are more likely to get divorced because, first they are poorer, and poverty strains marriages…” -Andrew Cherlin. During the past half century, African-Americans have become the most unmarried people in our nation. A substantial amount of evidence through using extensive research has shown that the decreasing rate for African-American marriages is an issue that is widespread throughout the country, although this particular topic isn 't the main precedence throughout society it still affects the lives of many African-Americans. African-Americans have always been considered the race that is least likely to marry and most likely to divorce nevertheless within the past 50 years, data shows the number of marriages within African-Americans …show more content…
According to statistics over 50% of couples who decide to cohabitate never get married, in the event that they do get married, they are also more prone to getting divorced. From 1987 until the present day cohabitating is an option couples are attempting before marriage. Cohabitating couples have a separation rate 5 times higher than married couples and they were also more likely to experience infidelity. Cohabitation is something that has become more frequent and is rapidly increasing throughout the country. Women in cohabitating relationships are 9 times more likely to be killed by their partner than women in relationships. Studies show that cohabitation is a primary factor in decreased marriage stability and black women are more likely to cohabitate than any other race, and they are also more likely to have a cohabitation end without marriage.
Financial stability is a main precedent before many people decide to get married. Research gives a great deal of insight regarding how financial stability affects
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The absence of a black father in children’s lives can have a negative impact, which can in return not only affect the lives of the children but society as well. Without a father playing a role in his children lives it is less likely that a young boy can grow to be a man and that a daughter can grow up to find a great man. Throughout the year’s studies have shown that the unstable conditions for children that are living in two separate households is detrimental and often times leads to several different mental disorders. According to data in 2009 about 35% of children resided in a two parent biological home and 50% lived in single mother households. As previously mentioned above cohabitation plays a key factor regarding failed marriages, it also contributes a large number of children being born out of wedlock. More than one half of all unmarried births are to cohabitating mothers. Children who are raised by their mother are more prone to experience poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, physical and emotional health, educational achievement, crime, sexual activity and teen pregnancy. i“Children in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor. In 2011, percent of children in married couple families were living in poverty, compared to 44 percent of children in mother-only families.” ii“Children living in female headed families with no spouse present

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