New data from the U.S. Census Bureau has revealed a shocking rise in the number of single mothers across the country.
U.S. government figures show that over 60 percent of new mothers in their early 20s through 2011 were not married, raising questions about the well-being and care of the nation's children.
In total, the number of births to unmarried mothers increased to 36 percent in 2011, up from 31 percent in 2005, among a total number of 4.1 million women who informed the census they had given birth.
New census figures have revealed a worrying rise across the country in the number of new mothers who are unmarried
In fact, according to the new figures, the total birth rate for unmarried women in 2007 has risen 80 percent since 1980 and in the years between 2002 and 2007 that percent increased by 20 percent.
The 2011 census shows that across the country 62 percent of women aged 20 to 24 who gave birth in the year prior to 2011 were not married.
The 2011 census shows that 62 percent of women aged 20 to 24 who gave birth in the year prior to 2011 were not married.
Overall, the census found that Asian mothers were the least likely to not be married, as just 11 percent were recorded being single.
Twenty nine percent of white single mothers were unmarried, 43 percent of Hispanic mothers were unmarried and 68 percent of African American mothers were unmarried among those who had recently given birth.
These figures are worrying because statistically, children born to unwed mothers are less likely to receive a full education and have lower incomes than those from married families.
The children are also more likely to have developmental delays.
'The poorer developmental and behavioral outcomes experienced by children living in cohabitating households may be due in part to family instability,' the census' authors wrote.
In fact, according to the new figures, the total birth rate for umarried women in 2007 has risen 80 percent since 1980 and in the years between 2002 and 2007 that percent increased by 20 percent
The percentage of young unwed mothers is in stark contrast to the 17-percent of new mothers in their late 30s who are not married.
Compared to the 62 percent of new moms between the age of 20 to 24, only 32 percent of moms aged between 25 to 29 are single.
The census report also showed the income disparity that exists between children born to single moms.
In households where income was $10,000, 69 percent housed single mothers, while the figure was only nine percent for households with an income of $200,000.
Critics of the figures point out that the census does not ask the living arrangements of single mothers, saying that many women may choose not to live independently or are not married but live with the child's father.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2318041/New-government-figures-worrying-rise-number-young-unmarried-mothers-country.html#ixzz2SA61Xhi5
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