According to figures released by the federal government, a record 1.5 million babies were born to unwed mothers in the United States last year. Around 35% of babies born in this country were born to unwed mothers. Contrary to what you might think, only 24% of those mothers were teenagers. The increase in numbers is attributed to women in their late twenties who have babies with their live-in boyfriends and remain unmarried.
What do the figures mean? I tend to not think that they mean fornication is on the rise. I think, rather, that they speak to the devaluation of marriage in our culture. It may be that, in earlier times, a couple that conceived may have opted to get married (out of pressure or whatnot), now they just opt out of marriage. It is viewed as not as big a deal. (If Rachel on Friends can do it why can’t I?) But, hey, at least these women are choosing to actually have their babies, which sure beats the alternative option still available in this country…
What do you think?