Being Single, Living Alone, Cohabitating and Other Options Chapter 9 Being Single, Living Alone, Cohabitating and Other Options

Chapter Outline The Unmarried: Reasons for Their Increasing Numbers Income and Singlehood The Various Living Arrangements of Unmarrieds Singlehood and Life Satisfaction

Unmarried Adults As a % of All Adults

Sex Ratios in the United States

The Desire to Stay Single: Never-Married, Noncohabiting Individuals White Males Black Males Hispanic Males Ages 19 to 35 Percentage not desiring marriage 15.40 23.50 8.70 Ages 19 to 25 12.60 22.80 6.80

The Desire to Stay Single: Never-Married, Noncohabiting Individuals White Females Black Females Hispanic Females Ages 19 to 35 Percentage not desiring marriage 17.10 21.80 25.30 Ages 19 to 25 11.20 12.70 13.10

Increasing Number of Singles Represents a return to long-term patterns of late marriage at the turn of the century. Results from economic disadvantage and/or a low sex ratio, which prevent a portion of the population from marrying. Results from changing attitudes toward marriage and singlehood.

African American Singles Proportion of married African Americans has declined from 64% in 1970 to 42% in 2002. Black men have high mortality rates and are more likely to be imprisoned or in the military. Rate of homosexuality of black men exceeds that of black women.

African American Singles More African American men than women have partners of other races. Choices are limited for black women wanting black men as marriage partners. College educated black women have difficulty finding black mates of similar educational background.

Median Annual Household Income of Singles Compared with Marrieds Married-couple families $61,254 Male householder, wife absent 41,711 Female householder, husband absent 29,001 Unmarried households 25, 402 Male householder 31,404 Female householder 20, 913

Young Adults Living with One or Both Parents % Living With Parents Sex And Year Total 18–24 25–34 1960 43 9 1995 53 12 2000 52

Young Adults Living with One or Both Parents % Living With Parents Sex And Year Men 18–24 25–34 1960 52 11 1995 58 15 2000 57

Young Adults Living with One or Both Parents % Living With Parents Sex And Year Women 18–24 25–34 1960 35 7 1995 47 8 2000

% of U.S. Households with Children Under 18, 2000

% of people over 19 years old living alone, 2002

Characteristics of Unmarried-Couple Households Cohabitants with one or more children under age 18 40% Age of cohabitants Under 25 18% 25–44 57% 45–64 20% 65+ 5%

Quick Quiz

1. The text cites four social factors that may encourage young people today to postpone marriage or not to marry at all. Which of the following is NOT one of these? changes in the economy improved contraception the threat of rising divorce rates changing attitudes toward marriage and singlehood

Answer: c The text cites four social factors that may encourage young people today to postpone marriage or not to marry at all. The threat of rising divorce rates is NOT one of these.

2. A majority of young adults experience less parental pressure to marry than in the past. True False

Answer: True A majority of young adults experience less parental pressure to marry than in the past.

Gays and lesbians are likely to adopt traditional masculine and feminine roles in their relationships True False

Answer: False Gays and lesbians are not likely to adopt traditional masculine and feminine roles in their relationships.

4. Which of the following work against black couples marrying? the unequal sex ratio among African Americans black women’s high rates of unemployment the low rate of military service among African Americans the high rate of underemployment among African American women

Answer: a The unequal sex ratio among African Americans works against black couples marrying.