Blacks and Hispanics are less likely than Whites to be currently married, according to the Pew Research Center. These differences are partly attributable to the fact that the Black and Hispanic populations are younger than the non-Hispanic White population.
There are also attitudinal differences: Blacks and Hispanics are more likely than Whites to believe that marriage is becoming obsolete.
While similar proportions of Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites had ever been married in 1960, by 2010 significant gaps had opened up. Only 55% of Blacks and 64% of Hispanics had ever been married in 2010, compared to 76% of Whites.
The overall marriage rate of Americans has declined significantly since 1960; only 51% of Americans are currently married — an all-time low. The median ages for first marriage are at record highs: 28.7 for men and 26.5 for women.
Source: “Barely Half of U.S. Adults Are Married — A Record Low,” December 2011, Pew Research Center, Jeffrey Passel, Senior Demographer, 1615 L St., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20036; 202-419-4300; info@pewsocialtrends.org; www.pewsocialtrends.org. Price: Available online at no charge
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