Quick takeaways

• The number of babies born to unmarried parents in the US has significantly increased over the decades, with 40% of babies now born to unmarried parents overall and 70% for black babies, highlighting the decline of two-parent households.

• Children from single-parent households often face greater economic insecurity, fewer resources, and less parental support, leading to challenges in behavior, academics, and lower incomes as adults, particularly for boys who are more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system.

• Economic changes and educational disparities are major factors contributing to the rise in single-parent households, with college-educated individuals more likely to have two-parent households while non-college-educated individuals face greater economic challenges and struggle to achieve the same family structure.

Deep dives