Blueprint for a Healthier Richmond For Male Responsibility Core Advisory Group October 2008 “Working Together for a healthier Richmond”

Percent Non-marital Births among Richmond City, VA Residents Percent non-marital births (PNMB) was calculated as number of non- marital births divided by total number of live births; e.g., Among black non- marital births (NMB), the Black PNMB=(# NMB to black women)/(Total # live births to black women)* 100.

Richmond City Pregnancy Outcomes for 2006 Total Pregnancies Live Births (49.7%) Induced Terminations (44.8%) Fetal Deaths (5.5%) Non-Marital Births (31.0%) Non Marital Induced (88%) Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond Source: VDH Center for Vital Records and Health Statistics

Nonmarital Births in Richmond City In the year 2006, there were 1892 nonmarital births in Richmond City –NMBs represents 62.4% of all live births –NMB rate has been increasing steadily over the last 25 years –Most (1494 or 79%) NMBs are to women over age 19 –The black NMB rate is 2.4x’s that of white mothers: 82.9% vs. 35.1% Source: VDH Center for Vital Records and Health Statistics Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

What are the health and human services “drivers”? Ad Hoc Richmond City Human Services Committee said: –Unplanned pregnancies by teens and young adults –Lack of father financial and emotional support. –Domestic violence, abuse and neglect –Drug and alcohol addictions “A key ingredient to success in turning Richmond around will be increased understanding and acceptance of personal responsibility by all our citizens.” Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

So what's the big deal? With Father absent children are: 5 times more likely to be poor 2-3 times more likely to smoke cigarettes 2 times more likely to drop out of school 150 percent more likely to experience a non- marital teen pregnancy 70 percent of juveniles in state institutions grew up in fatherless homes 72 percent of adolescent murders grew up without their fathers From Father Facts (Fourth Edition) ©2002, National Fatherhood Initiative Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

Yet with Father’s Presence: Children fare better academically Children experience fewer behavioral problems Children are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior Girls experience increased sense of competency (Relationship Model) Boys more responsible men and fathers— especially African Americans (Role Model) Fathers experience increased self-esteem From Father Facts (Fourth Edition) ©2002, National Fatherhood Initiative From Father Facts (Fourth Edition) ©2002, National Fatherhood Initiative Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

Percent Non-Marital Births among Richmond City, VA Residents (<20 y.o.) Percent non-marital births (PNMB) was calculated as number of non-marital births divided by total number of live births; e.g., among black non-marital births (NMB), the Black <20yo PNMB=(# NMB to black women <20 yo)/(Total # live births to black women <20 yo)* 100.

Percent non-marital births among Richmond City, VA Residents (20+ y.o.) Percent non-marital births (PNMB) was calculated as number of non-marital births divided by total number of live births; e.g., among black non-marital births (NMB), the Black >20yo PNMB=(# NMB to black women >20 yo)/(Total # live births to black women >20 yo)* 100.

Richmond City Births to Unmarried Mothers, 2007 Red Dot: Age 19 and under Blue Dot: Age 20 and over

79% of Nonmarital Births in Richmond City were to Women Over Age 19 Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond Source: VDH Center for Vital Records and Health Statistics

Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond Source: VDH Center for Vital Records and Health Statistics

A Child Born in Richmond City Is very likely to be born to: Unmarried Mother Who is 20 Years of Age or Older What do we know of the father? Where is dad? Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

The Research Richmond City Health District Working Together for a Healthier Richmond

So should we build more jails or build human capital?

Discussion and next steps