The Positive Benefits of Marriage: A Book of Charts

The Positive Effects of Marriage: A Book of Charts
by Patrick F. Fagan, Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D. and America Peterson
(table of contents)

As social science research data and government surveys increasingly show, the decline in marriage since the 1960s has been accompanied by a rise in a number of serious social problems. Children born out of wedlock or whose parents divorce are much more likely to experience poverty, abuse, and behavioral and emotional problems, have lower academic achievement, and use drugs more often. Single mothers are much more likely to be victims of domestic violence. With the rise in these problems comes high program costs to deal with the effects of the breakdown of marriage.

For children whose parents remain married, however, the benefits are real. Adolescents from these families have been found to have better health and are less likely to be depressed, are less likely to repeat a grade in school, and have fewer developmental problems. The implications of such mounting evidence for social policy are immense. Too many welfare programs continue to undermine marriage among the poor and must be reevaluated.

The following charts, based on the government surveys and independent studies listed in Appendix A, are offered to policymakers and decisionmakers to aid in their discussions of promarriage policies. They are presented in sections that highlight both the decline of marriage and its effects on children and adults compared with the numerous benefits that marriage offers. An explanation of the data source for each chart and a list of additional resources for more information and analysis of the issues raised in these charts may be found in the appendices.

Questions about these charts should be directed to the authors at The Heritage Foundation, at (202) 546-4400.

Table of Contents
(download print friendly pdf)

	THE DECLINE OF MARRIAGE
	Chart 1: Growth of Out-of-Wedlock Childbearing
	Chart 2: Children Living in Intact Families
	THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE
	Chart 3: Child Poverty by Birth Status
	Chart 4: Child Poverty by Family Structure
	Chart 5: Long-Term Child Poverty and Family Structure
	Chart 6: Median Income by Family Structure
	THE EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE ON WELFARE
	Chart 7: Welfare Dependence on Birth Status
	Chart 8: Means-Tested Aid and Single-Parent Families
	RACIAL DIFFERENCE IN MARRIAGE
	Chart 9: Linkage Between Racial Differences in Child Poverty and Family Structure – I
	Chart 10: Linkage Between Racial Differences in Child Poverty and Family Structure – II
	MARRIAGE AND ABORTION
	Chart 11: Marriage and Domestic Violence
	Chart 12: Abortion and Marital Status
	THE EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE ON ADULTS
	Chart 13: Marriage and Domestic Violence
	Chart 14: Marriage and Personal Happiness
	Chart 15: Marriage and Attempted Suicide
	THE EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE ON CHILDREN
	Chart 16: Serious Child Abuse and Marriage
	Chart 17: Family Background and Adult Criminality
	Chart 18: Adolescent Depression and Marriage
	Chart 19: School Expulsion and Marriage
	Chart 20: School Failure and Marriage
	Chart 21: Developmental Problems and Family Structure
	Chart 22: Behavioral Problems and Family Structure
	Chart 23: Adolescent Marijuana Use and Family Structure
	Chart 24: Adolescent Cocaine Use and Family Structure
	Chart 25: Adolescent Weapon Carrying and Family Structure
	Chart 26: Adolescent Cigarette Use and Family Structure
	Chart 27: Adolescent Health and Family Structure
	Chart 28: Teenage Sexual Activity and Family Structure
	Chart 29: Adolescent Attitudes Toward Out-of-Wedlock Childbearing and Family Structure

	APPENDIX
	A. Explanation of Data Sources

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