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

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

3. Unmarried Adults As a % of All Adults

5. Sex Ratios in the United States

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

17. % of people over 19 years old living alone, 2002

18. 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%

19. Quick Quiz

20. 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

21. 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.

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

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

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

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

26. 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

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