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

Chapter 9
Being Single, Living Alone, Cohabitating
and Other Options
Chapter Outline
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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: NeverMarried, 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
Percentage not desiring
marriage
12.60
22.80
6.80
The Desire to Stay Single: NeverMarried, Noncohabiting Individuals
White
Black
Hispanic
Females Females Females
Ages 19 to 35
Percentage not desiring
marriage
17.10
21.80
25.30
Ages 19 to 25
Percentage not desiring
marriage
11.20
12.70
13.10
Increasing Number of
Singles
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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
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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
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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
Male householder, wife
absent
Female householder,
husband absent
$61,254
41,711
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
47
% of U.S. Households with
Children Under 18, 2000
% of people over 19 years
old living alone, 2002
Characteristics of UnmarriedCouple Households
Cohabitants with one or more
children under age 18
Age of cohabitants
40%
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?
a) changes in the economy
b) improved contraception
c) the threat of rising divorce rates
d) changing attitudes toward marriage
and singlehood
Answer: c
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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.
a) True
b) False
Answer: True
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A majority of young adults experience
less parental pressure to marry than in
the past.
3.
Gays and lesbians are likely to adopt
traditional masculine and feminine roles
in their relationships
a) True
b) False
Answer: False
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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?
a) the unequal sex ratio among
African Americans
b) black women’s high rates of
unemployment
c) the low rate of military service
among African Americans
d) the high rate of underemployment
among African American women
Answer: a
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The unequal sex ratio among African
Americans works against black couples
marrying.