Posted: Tue 25 Oct 2005 19:47 Post subject: Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
From Susan Pizarro-Eckert,
Your Guide to Race Relations.
Stay up to date!
Marriage and Parenting in the Black Community
Eugene Cane (an African American writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) tackles the tough social question regarding single parenting in the African-American community. An issue, which he believes has an impact on everything from crime to education to poverty.
"Why are there so many out-of-wedlock births in the African-American community?" He asks, and presents statistics indicating that nearly 70% of black babies are born out of wedlock - surely an incredible figure.
Interviews with 162 low-income white, African-American and Hispanic women in Philadelphia are summarized and synthesized by sociologists Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas in a book "Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women Put Motherhood Before Marriage," published by the University of California Press.
"Contrary to popular opinion," write Edin and Kefalas, "most 'baby mamas' don't become single mothers because they no longer believe in marriage. The reason is instead attributed to the lack of qualified candidates for establishing a family.
June Perry, Executive Director of New Concept Self Development, a non-profit social service agency offering programs for low-income families, agrees that "Many black women don't have a large pool of candidates for marriage due to social realities." Reasons for the limited pool include lack of employment, incarceration rates, and the general reluctance of black women to marry outside their race are highlighted.
Even Bill Cosby (much to the embarassment and ire of some members of the black community) has confronted the black community and caused controversy, chastising young black men for "beating up your women because you can't find a job," blasting poor parenting in the ghettoes, heaping scorn on Ebonics, and lambasting aimless blacks for squandering the hard-won gains of the civil rights movement.
As for a solution...well, the book suggests that it may be a bit more complicated than asking black women to change their minds and seek to tie the knot.
Last edited by Liana on Sun 11 Dec 2005 10:41; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Dec 2005 {Posts: 3 } Location: Los Angeles
Posted: Sat 10 Dec 2005 21:24 Post subject: High OOW birth rate in African American COmmunity
While I can agree with some of the article, I think that many African American females, especially those that are lower income and live in the black community have very low self esteem.
They do not make AA men respect them. They seem so starved for love that they will allow a man to lay with them without proving himself as a worthy human being, or showing them care and love. They impregnate these woman and they are gone, and if they are still around they contribute nothing positive for a child.
We all see these young females with babies they cannot take care of.
In this day and age of birth control it is sad that anyone would make the choice to bring a child into the world when they know they cannot give the child what it needs financially or emotionally.
Some black women need to learn to respect themselves more. When that happens, men will respect them as well.
I think that many African American females, especially those that are lower income and live in the black community have very low self esteem.
They do not make AA men respect them. They seem so starved for love that they will allow a man to lay with them without proving himself as a worthy human being, or showing them care and love. They impregnate these woman and they are gone, and if they are still around they contribute nothing positive for a child.
We all see these young females with babies they cannot take care of.
In this day and age of birth control it is sad that anyone would make the choice to bring a child into the world when they know they cannot give the child what it needs financially or emotionally.
Some black women need to learn to respect themselves more. When that happens, men will respect them as well.
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock. Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious. And what are the statistics for White unwed mothers on welfare? I've heard there are more White people than people of color on Welfare---is this still true? And how many White unwed mothers have given birth to biracial/multiracial babies? Anyone out there who has these anwers could really help explode some stereotypes(or verify them). Thanks.
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock. Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious.
Information I found on the web...
Ethnic and Racial Comparisons
The largest decline in teen birth rates has been among black teens. Since 1991 the black teen birth rate has decreased by 21 percent from 115 to 91 in 1996 and is currently the lowest ever recorded. On the other hand, the teen birth rate for Hispanics decreased by only 5 percent in the same time period, from 107 to 102. The teen birth rates for both black and Hispanic girls are much higher than the rates for non-Hispanic white teens which decreased from 43 to 38 from 1991 to 1996. http://www.prcdc.org/summaries/teenpreg/teenpreg.html
Births out of wedlock by race:
The highest percentage of out of wedlock births by race was in black women with 67 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
The lowest percentage by race was Asian and Pacific Islanders with 19 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
White non-Hispanics had a slightly higher percentage rate than Asian and Pacific Islanders with 22 percent of all birth being outside of marriage.
Hispanics had almost double the percentage rate than white non-Hispanics with 38 percent of all births being outside of marriage. http://www.gendercenter.org/motherhood.htm
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock. Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious. And what are the statistics for White unwed mothers on welfare? I've heard there are more White people than people of color on Welfare---is this still true? And how many White unwed mothers have given birth to biracial/multiracial babies? Anyone out there who has these anwers could really help explode some stereotypes(or verify them). Thanks.
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock. Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious.
Information I found on the web...
Ethnic and Racial Comparisons
The largest decline in teen birth rates has been among black teens. Since 1991 the black teen birth rate has decreased by 21 percent from 115 to 91 in 1996 and is currently the lowest ever recorded. On the other hand, the teen birth rate for Hispanics decreased by only 5 percent in the same time period, from 107 to 102. The teen birth rates for both black and Hispanic girls are much higher than the rates for non-Hispanic white teens which decreased from 43 to 38 from 1991 to 1996. http://www.prcdc.org/summaries/teenpreg/teenpreg.html
Births out of wedlock by race:
The highest percentage of out of wedlock births by race was in black women with 67 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
The lowest percentage by race was Asian and Pacific Islanders with 19 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
White non-Hispanics had a slightly higher percentage rate than Asian and Pacific Islanders with 22 percent of all birth being outside of marriage.
I wonder what the percentage of abortions for White american girls are? I wonder how would this impact that numbers?
Hispanics had almost double the percentage rate than white non-Hispanics with 38 percent of all births being outside of marriage. http://www.gendercenter.org/motherhood.htm
Posted: Mon 22 May 2006 18:27 Post subject: Re: Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
Liana wrote:
Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
From Susan Pizarro-Eckert,
Your Guide to Race Relations.
Stay up to date!
Marriage and Parenting in the Black Community
Eugene Cane (an African American writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) tackles the tough social question regarding single parenting in the African-American community. An issue, which he believes has an impact on everything from crime to education to poverty.
"Why are there so many out-of-wedlock births in the African-American community?" He asks, and presents statistics indicating that nearly 70% of black babies are born out of wedlock - surely an incredible figure.
Interviews with 162 low-income white, African-American and Hispanic women in Philadelphia are summarized and synthesized by sociologists Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas in a book "Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women Put Motherhood Before Marriage," published by the University of California Press.
"Contrary to popular opinion," write Edin and Kefalas, "most 'baby mamas' don't become single mothers because they no longer believe in marriage. The reason is instead attributed to the lack of qualified candidates for establishing a family.
June Perry, Executive Director of New Concept Self Development, a non-profit social service agency offering programs for low-income families, agrees that "Many black women don't have a large pool of candidates for marriage due to social realities." Reasons for the limited pool include lack of employment, incarceration rates, and the general reluctance of black women to marry outside their race are highlighted.
Even Bill Cosby (much to the embarassment and ire of some members of the black community) has confronted the black community and caused controversy, chastising young black men for "beating up your women because you can't find a job," blasting poor parenting in the ghettoes, heaping scorn on Ebonics, and lambasting aimless blacks for squandering the hard-won gains of the civil rights movement.
As for a solution...well, the book suggests that it may be a bit more complicated than asking black women to change their minds and seek to tie the knot.
I'm always harping on this, but I wonder if there is some kind of difference if there was some divide within the 'African-American' community by economic or class. I think there is no one African American community probably 2. And the lifestyles are different in each. For example, the people Bill Cosby is talking about come from totally different class and background.
Another thing, is there a difference being made in WHO these out of wedlock kids are being fathered by. There are a good number of kids born into these 'Black communities' whose fathers are White,Hispanic,Italian as well as Biracial & Black.
Posted: Fri 26 May 2006 12:52 Post subject: Re: High OOW birth rate in African American COmmunity
Sapphire wrote:
While I can agree with some of the article, I think that many African American females, especially those that are lower income and live in the black community have very low self esteem.
I agree partially, there really is no 1 given black community. The community has to be looked at according to economics. Most cities have 2 seperate 'black' communities. As you said 'lower income' black neighborhoods/communities & higher income black neighborhoods/communities. They aren't the same even though the 6o'clock news might continue to portray that. Why should we lump both together? Do you think or do you hear of middle class white communities being lumped together with white lowerincome/welfare trailer park communities?
They do not make AA men respect them. They seem so starved for love that they will allow a man to lay with them without proving himself as a worthy human being, or showing them care and love. They impregnate these woman and they are gone, and if they are still around they contribute nothing positive for a child.
I hear what your saying, but that sounds like white girls aren't having sex. They are having just as much sex as black girls. Do you think the girls in videos like Girls Gone Wild (a rather extensive video collection) are making white men respect them. You don't think these girls, who in my opinion are degrading themselves to the level of porn, aren't starved for love? Why is anorexia and bulemia such a wide spread problem? Especially among white-american girls? Middle class white communities are have certain problems arising all over this country concerning girls giving blow jobs to boys 'because it's not really sex' and it's safer. Do we really think white girls aren't having that much sex? There has been a sexual revelution going on since the 60's and youth today are just off the hook. They're acting like women at early ages now, exposed to more sex thru film, videos, movies etc etc and many want the same 'privledges that their male counterparts seem to have. "to spread their royal oats"
We all see these young females with babies they cannot take care of.
In this day and age of birth control it is sad that anyone would make the choice to bring a child into the world when they know they cannot give the child what it needs financially or emotionally.
I agree.
Some black women need to learn to respect themselves more. When that happens, men will respect them as well.
That may not always be the truth. Men are men, black white tan red, And then add certain american ideas concerning sex, you'll find that everyone is dealing with similar things.
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock.
The consensus in my opinion would also say white girls are getting pregnant just as much. But are having more abortions that black girls.
It's easy for articles to point at black girls, because they have the physical proof of something(sex) happening. There does need to be more of an awareness of safe sex agains unwanted pregnancy and STDs.
Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious.
Good question. Are these statistics being done outside of urban areas. The further away from urban areas the more likely people(especially as the economic status goes up) that people will openly admit certain things. Are rural areas being questioned. Are the many trail park ghettoes across this country being questioned. Gotta keep the communities dirty laundry hidden.
And what are the statistics for White unwed mothers on welfare? I've heard there are more White people than people of color on Welfare---is this still true? And how many White unwed mothers have given birth to biracial/multiracial babies? Anyone out there who has these anwers could really help explode some stereotypes(or verify them). Thanks.
What are the current statistics comparing White unwed mothers and unwed mothers of color in this country? The consensus in the past seems to have been that there are significantly MORE women of color having babies out-of-wedlock. Is this true, or are unwed White mothers just not participating in these studies or "admitting" their status? Just curious.
Information I found on the web...
Ethnic and Racial Comparisons
The largest decline in teen birth rates has been among black teens. Since 1991 the black teen birth rate has decreased by 21 percent from 115 to 91 in 1996 and is currently the lowest ever recorded. On the other hand, the teen birth rate for Hispanics decreased by only 5 percent in the same time period, from 107 to 102. The teen birth rates for both black and Hispanic girls are much higher than the rates for non-Hispanic white teens which decreased from 43 to 38 from 1991 to 1996. http://www.prcdc.org/summaries/teenpreg/teenpreg.html
Births out of wedlock by race:
The highest percentage of out of wedlock births by race was in black women with 67 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
The lowest percentage by race was Asian and Pacific Islanders with 19 percent of all births being outside of marriage.
White non-Hispanics had a slightly higher percentage rate than Asian and Pacific Islanders with 22 percent of all birth being outside of marriage.
Hispanics had almost double the percentage rate than white non-Hispanics with 38 percent of all births being outside of marriage. http://www.gendercenter.org/motherhood.htm
So it looks like women in generally need to raise their self esteem...
Yet I know it's more complicated than that. The 25 and under group of kids have different exposures. Sex is put in their lives a lot sooner than my generation.
"Yet I know it's more complicated than that. The 25 and under age group have different exposures. Sex is out in their lives a lot sooner than my generation."
Well, let me say that in my growing up, girls who had out-of-wedlock babies were stigmatized, ostracized and sent away to have the baby.
I grew up when chaperoning girls was still pretty much the norm, even though by the time I was in senior high school it was very much on the wane. As a child, I was shielded from sex and the ways of the outside world. I did not go on my first date until I went to college.
After one very bad sexual encounter, I have been celibate for 30 years.
Under no circumstances do I hold what this person did to me against all men. But, I vowed that the next man who had sex with me would be married to me. And I certainly would not bring a child into the world just because I had to have a baby. That would be morally wrong.
But, then again, I have incredibly high standards that I have set for myself, from so many, many years ago. I felt that if I wanted a man to desire me, I should be the very best that a woman could offer to a man: a good work ethic (my past and present employers and fellow employees seem to think so); respect to my parents and all they have done for me (father deceased; mother still living); high regard for my body, character and morals.
Let's face it; being a celibate for 30 years gives you quite a different perspective on life.
But, because of my age, and celibacy stance and the fact that I am not a "booze-hound; night-club-going type of woman", not to mention the fact that my celibacy would scare off tons of men, well, that makes my chances of getting married 0 to none.
But, I am looking into finding an organization that I can work with that helps steer young Black girls from a life of despair and misery. I feel that too many people give lip service and hand-wringing to the problems of today's youth. Getting out there and trying to be a part of the solution would be the best approach.
If I can make a difference in the life of just one young lady, then I will be a most happy person.
Afterall, giving someone else a hand up not only helps the one receiving help; it helps the giver as well.
"Yet I know it's more complicated than that. The 25 and under age group have different exposures. Sex is out in their lives a lot sooner than my generation."
Well, let me say that in my growing up, girls who had out-of-wedlock babies were stigmatized, ostracized and sent away to have the baby.
I still had a mild rumor of that in the air in the 80's
Whatever they did in the dark, it wasn't discussed openly.
I grew up when chaperoning girls was still pretty much the norm, even though by the time I was in senior high school it was very much on the wane. As a child, I was shielded from sex and the ways of the outside world. I did not go on my first date until I went to college.
After one very bad sexual encounter, I have been celibate for 30 years.
Under no circumstances do I hold what this person did to me against all men. But, I vowed that the next man who had sex with me would be married to me. And I certainly would not bring a child into the world just because I had to have a baby. That would be morally wrong.
But, then again, I have incredibly high standards that I have set for myself, from so many, many years ago. I felt that if I wanted a man to desire me, I should be the very best that a woman could offer to a man: a good work ethic (my past and present employers and fellow employees seem to think so); respect to my parents and all they have done for me (father deceased; mother still living); high regard for my body, character and morals.
Good for you, Men aren't always taught to have the same in the dept of the body as far as sex is concerned. Something is wrong with him if he isn't doing it.
Let's face it; being a celibate for 30 years gives you quite a different perspective on life.
But, because of my age, and celibacy stance and the fact that I am not a "booze-hound; night-club-going type of woman", not to mention the fact that my celibacy would scare off tons of men, well, that makes my chances of getting married 0 to none.
But, I am looking into finding an organization that I can work with that helps steer young Black girls from a life of despair and misery. I feel that too many people give lip service and hand-wringing to the problems of today's youth. Getting out there and trying to be a part of the solution would be the best approach.
If I can make a difference in the life of just one young lady, then I will be a most happy person.
Afterall, giving someone else a hand up not only helps the one receiving help; it helps the giver as well.
Posted: Fri 07 Jul 2006 12:08 Post subject: Re: Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
gemini072 wrote:
Another thing, is there a difference being made in WHO these out of wedlock kids are being fathered by. There are a good number of kids born into these 'Black communities' whose fathers are White,Hispanic,Italian as well as Biracial & Black.
Much smaller than the kids born from Black fathers and mothers of other ethnicities.
I read about some study that said that AA women actually weren't marrying many times by choie. They saw status in being a mother but did not consider the poopl of available males in their area as marriage material. And of course the level of exogamy is still low as well.
Posted: Fri 07 Jul 2006 12:29 Post subject: Re: Out-of-Wedlock Births and the African-American Community
Salsassin wrote:
gemini072 wrote:
Another thing, is there a difference being made in WHO these out of wedlock kids are being fathered by. There are a good number of kids born into these 'Black communities' whose fathers are White,Hispanic,Italian as well as Biracial & Black.
Much smaller than the kids born from Black fathers and mothers of other ethnicities.
Yes, it is much smaller but again their are a lot of mixed kids born to black women.
A few years ago I was going to do a portrait for a friends sisters daughter. The daughter is biracial, when I got over their 3 of her friends were over there. 1 biracial 1 mixed the other black. All of them had a child by a white man. 4 kids born out of wedlock 2 colored women by white men. But when the polls and statistics present 'the facts' the picture will seem that this is a problem with a 'black' community.
Another girl I grew up with only dates white guys now and was knocked up by a white guy, but he married a white women from his neighborhood, but left the black girl with twins. Again this will be seen as a problem within a black community. Even though she lives in mixed community.
Black girls having relationships and children with PR men is much more common. And it happens a lot.
I read about some study that said that AA women actually weren't marrying many times by choie. They saw status in being a mother but did not consider the poopl of available males in their area as marriage material. And of course the level of exogamy is still low as well.
So they had high standards on the men they should marry, not the men they'll lay down with and make a baby?
Well I did my own study, and found that there are a lot of these women who have so called high standards, but when you find out what it is, it fall under the heading Vanity. The pool of men not being large enough I think is a scapegoat, to them actually wanting someone with bling and a brand new car and someone who looks like he is from the videos or movies etc etc Not saying you can't have that, but because a guy may by his shirts from JCPenny's and not FUBU doesn't mean he isn't marriage material.
'
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