70% of males in prison comes from a single...?

Question

parent home. About 40% alll USA babies are out of wedlock. And 33% of these babies are in poverty. Shouldn't this say something for marriage? And yes, all marriage do not work.

Answer 1

I agree that it's best for children to grow up in a stable home and not in poverty. And hey, I'm all for marriage; I'm married myself. However, the first thing you learn in statistics class is that correlation does not equal causation. What causes what here?

Does being married when you have your babies help keep them out of prison, or is it just that parents who are married are less likely to be poor, and higher socioeconomic status keeps them out of prison? Does single parenthood increase the odds of poverty or does poverty increase the odds of single parenthood? Would those babies living in poverty with single mothers not be living in poverty if their parents had married before they were born? While there are probably interactions between poverty, single parenthood, and crime, I think the issue of causation may be a little muddy here.

Answer 2

In an ideal world, babies would all be wanted and loved by two parents. Yes, I do think that good marriages foster a stable and loving environment. I also think that two people dedicated to their children do not necessarily have to be married to accomplish this, but your point is well taken. Maybe someday in the far future our society will be advanced enough that parenthood will be a privilege and all children will be cherished.

Answer 3

Say what about marriage? Will a marriage ensure my son stays out of jail? I don't think so.

I make no excuses. I am a single mother and times have been tough sometimes but he knows I am there for him. Peer pressure worries me the most.

I would never have married his father but I would have welcomed him into his son's life. He chose not to make that effort. His loss.

Answer 4

I would like to know where you got your lovely statistics? Also, what about women in prison? I was raised in a married household, and my parents did nothing but bicker, fight, and make my life hell. Once they split up, all of us kids got alot happier and the stress level in our home reduced dramatically. Money does not make a happy home, so growing up in poverty should not be that big of deal....... I fail to see your point .

Answer 5

You not only had a good question but, a great point as well.
Regardless of race or culture we men need to step up to the plate and do our job as head of the home.

Head of the home doesn't make you King Kong with a god complex, it means YOU DO whatever it takes to provide for your wife and children.

The Bible says we men are to love our wives as Christ loved his church and died for it.
If more men would love their families this way our culture in America would be greatly rewarded with it's own actions.

Answer 6

Keep in mind that the poorest group is single mothers, so its more likely poverty contributing to the crime rate rather than single mothers.

Answer 7

This is so true heres some other facts for you:
Eight times more likely to go to prison.
Five times more likely to commit suicide.
Twenty times more likely to have behavioral problems.
Twenty times more likely to become rapists.
32 times more likely to run away.
Ten times more likely to abuse chemical substances.
Nine times more likely to drop out of high school.
33 times more likely to be seriously abused.
73 times more likely to be fatally abused.
One-tenth as likely to get A's in school.
On average have a 44% higher mortality rate.
On average have a 72% lower standard of living.

Amazing isn't it this really proves the importance of marriage!

Answer 8

A child was obviously meant to have both Mom and Dad in the home.

Answer 9

Yes, children need both parents.

Answer 10

Good children come from good marriages