November 21, 2006
Turning A Blind Eye To Fatherless Black Babies
The diversity agenda in media and academia includes shamelessly flogging racial "disparities" in education, law enforcement, public health, business ownership and even mortgage interest rates. There's almost always a clearly-stated assumption of "institutional bias" or racism against blacks or Hispanics. But when the subject is births out of wedlock - a primary risk factor for crime and low educational achievement when Daddy-less junior grows tall - the whole race analysis gets, ah, whitewashed. Take this Associated Press story in today's Seattle Times. Please. Births to unwed mothers reached an all time high of 37 percent last year, according to the feds, yet the most the story can tell us about the vastly disparate racial breakdown is the increase "was seen in all racial groups but rose most sharply among Hispanics." But this table from the actual study shows blacks remain far and away the undisputed leader in births to unwed mothers on a percentage basis. (The main page of the study is here; click on the link there titled "Key Findings, illustrated in Tables 1-3, 5-8 and Figures 1-3" to get Table 1, which I link to, just above). It shows that births to unmarried mothers of all races in the U.S. last year comprised 36.8% of the total; versus 69.5% of the total for black mothers; 63.3% for Native-American or Alaskan Native mothers; 47.9% for Hispanic mothers; 25.4% for white mothers; and 16.2% for Asians or Pacific Islander mothers.
Income, poverty and often "racism" are ascribed as the real determinants for such social pathologies by guilty white liberals; but choosing to not have children out of wedlock is one of several important ways a woman of any color can increase her odds of sidestepping poverty. The AP story in the Times, for its lame part, is happy to ignore the epidemic of births to unwed black mothers, and blithely explain that the record national high for all races is due to reduced social strictures and more older, single mothers. It's just a hunky-dory Murphy Brown world out there, though the news hasn't quite reached Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell.
All in all, a shamefully lax butchering by AP of an important and ongoing news story - one which has a continuing impact on social spending and the size of government.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at November 21, 2006
08:47 PM | Email This
1. The sole supporter of the family was at one time the father. Now it appears that the sole supporter of all too many families is the GOVERNMENT and the father(s) are not to be found.
Golly, is that a problem?
2. Keep speaking out. Solve this problem and you solve a WHOLE lot of problems.
3. While it true that poor non-white unmarried women have too many babies, I'm not sure any solution will be found crowing about the problem in this forum. This is problem only Native, Hispanic and Black communities can fix.
I notice from the study there is less of a problem in the Asian community. It seems they have their answer. With whites catching up to Blacks and Hispanics it looks like we soon might need to look for solutions as well.
4. Here's what one of the Google Adsense ad immediately above your post says:
$30,000 Grants for Single Mothers Never Repay - Get Your Free Kit Now
[URL omitted]
Content-targeted ads bring us so much irony. Gee, the problem isn't a lack of incentives for constructive behavior and consequences for destructive behavior -- it's "racism." Right.
5. You seem to be hinting that we should identify and address the aspect of black culture that leads to unmarried pregnancies. This might be productive or it might be pointless -- it depends on what the cause of the pregnancies is. Statisticians have an easy way to determine whether race or income (or something else) is likely to be the cause of the problem: analyze all the factors (OK, as many as possible) in combination and see where the correlations are.
For example, do white and black women of the same income have the same or different rates of births out of wedlock? Some quick googling didn't produce the answer to this question, but you might look into it before making assumptions.
6. Deadwood, I'm not sure Asian-Americans have "solved" the problem so much as they never had it. You're right about this only being fixed by the responsible communities, though. The problem with this (which I certainly would like to solve) is that too many have their hand in the cookie jar of "dependency creation," however (figurehead shakedown artists like Jesse Jackson, the liberal idiocy of the past 40 years, etc.). African-Americans who speak out against the culture of hopelessness and victimhood are mocked as "Uncle Toms." I'm not sure there is a solution.
7. Yeas Damian, more problems we can't fix. I wish them luck, but I know and you know our help is neither wanted or appreciated. We can do something though - Not provide any support the Jacksons of this country!
On a similar track, I have long thought that the Black Muslims have it right (actually retread of Marcus Garvey's early 20th century movement). Invest in and build their own communities with no help or thanks to the Whites.
8. At the risk of having every bigot directly aim at me, I am Black. Black families are the canaries in the mine shaft. If one reads international newspapers like the Guardian, Daily Mail and other papers, then you would see articles like the British government is considering granting many of the privledges of marriage to the unmarried because of the number of out-of-wedlock births. The Scandinavian countries have a very high out-of-wedlock birthrate. The late Senator Monyihan wrote several studies about the Black family. In the 50s, the Black family was largely intact. Check the writings of Dr. Sowell and Dr. Walt Williams. What was the tipping point, government programs that provided an income to unmarried women and got men out of the house. Well folks, those same programs are available to people of all colors and the rate of out-of-wedlock births is rising in all communities. When Bush made a recommendation that government policy should favor married parents, he was laughed at. His policy is correct. No one should have to be in an abusive situation, but the optimum environment for raising children is a two parent heterosexual home so that the children have role models for both sexes. This does not mean that single parents and gay couples cannot be great parents, it is just the optimum situation is a two parent family.
I have been visiting this site only recently, but it appears to me that Matt is the most "Michael Richards" of the posters. The rate is going up in all segments. As I mentioned before, the Black rate of out-of-wedlock births is a harbinger of what is to come, if one looks at the European experience.
9. someone ought to take a look at the number of kids in seattle schools who are from single parent families--and then take a look at the kids' test scores/grades/attendance records. not that there's any connection.
10. someone ought to take a look at the number of kids in seattle schools who are from single parent families--and then take a look at the kids' test scores/grades/attendance records. not that there's any connection.
11. What you would probably find is that many children having difficulty come from single parent families. These children deserve a chance, which is why I so want to make public schools work. Without a good education, they are handicapped. Dr. Marva Collins, the great Black educator takes children who do not come from the optimum families and she educates them. They go to the top colleges in the US and compete with all. If one examines the writings of Dr. Sowell and Dr. Williams, the problem is the institutionalized mediocrity many poor children have to endure. Both Drs. Sowell and Williams favor competition in education. There may be illegimate parents, but there is no such thing as an illegitimate child. Dr. Collins was able to open a branch of Westside Prep in Wisconsin because of vouchers. Poor single parents and others made the choice to give their children a better education. Unless, the child support incentives and culture change to favor the old time line of first marriage and then children, all communities will be coping with a disastrous situation for children.
12. fix & police your own cultures. stop the excuses. start with some TRUE "pride" & role models and re-instate SHAME & conscience. shun those who are baby factories. whether Hollywood or inner city, a bastard child is a bastard--call it so & quit the p.c. dance. haven't we learned anything from 40 years of great society and nannystate? was it this rampant in the 30's? before govt Daddy?
13. WVH @8: You're right, as many would agree, that government programs have encouraged single parenting by mothers, and that poses risks for child well-being. But to say "the rate is going up in all segments," and then assert I remind you of ("N-word"-spewing "comic") Michael Richards, is below the belt. As I documented in my post, the rates are hugely disparate. The 2005 U.S. data show births to unwed mothers are 36.8% nationally, 69.5 percent among blacks, 63.3% for Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, 47.9% among Hispanics, 25.4% among whites, and 16.2% among Asians and Pacific Islanders. To call racist my highlighting the personal responsibility of black fathers mothers to make smart choices in the best interests of their children (i.e. marriage, commitment or contraception) - is simply inaccurate.
14. Yeah, let's all give a hand for that great humanitarian, jimmie-howya-doin, who had the PRIDE and the PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to make sure that his parents were married before he was born.
If you were not as fortunate or as responsible as jimmie, then you deserve SHAME. Who says so? Why, jimmie says so.
There's more than one kind of bastard in this world, jimmie. You can find one in your mirror.
15. WVH... I suppose Bill Cosby is just another Uncle Tom, huh?
16. #15 First, it is Dr. Bill Cosby, he received is doctorate from UMass. Where on earth did you even remotely get the idea that I would call Dr. Cosby an "Uncle Tom?" What he is saying if you are careful enough to listen is that parents should be responsible for any children they produce. Children should go to school and take education seriously. Seems to be good message that applies to all.
#13 I still have my opinion that you are a certain type. This opinion is based upon my reading of admittedly a limited sample of your writings. In my opinion, as a reviewer you lack the understanding of nuance to analyze issues of race. What I read in your writing is a real intent to disparage, not enlighten the discussion of race or for that matter religion. Although, Kate Holmes or Cruz has now married the putative father of her baby, she is a high profile example of the fact that out-of-wedlock births are increasing in all segments. Generally, when I read your writings on race, I find that you will always find the most negative angle. I stand by my opinion. I will continue to read your comments and when I detect a different approach, I'll review my opinion.
17. Unsaid in Ivan's post is that single parent families help his party. That's why the Democrats love the disintegration of the family. The Democrats want everyone in the country to look at them and say "gimmee".
18. Ivan the Tolerant: My post is about choices and personal responsibility. I stand by my words. Tough Love. Lack of values today and popping babies without a thought. Stop erasing blame from those who choose poorly.
Same with the street beggars. What's wrong with holding people to their actions and making them repsonsible? No one is forcing anyone to make babies. And it affects me & you via public aid and taxes. It's not just THEIR 'personal choice'--just like driving recklessly--it affects more than just the selfish actors.
Thanks for the compliment--how quaintly liberal and "inclusive" of you. Just like your lib ilk--tolerating different opinions with name-calling when your knickers get in a twist.
19. Bill @ 17:
Take a look in your own mirror. Nobody is for disintegration of the family, for anyone's political purposes.
You don't shame children for circumstances beyond their control, period. Well, maybe you and jimmie do.
Policies that you and your party favor contribute to the breakup of families. The list is too numerous to mention. It's the same old conservative line: "Every man for himself, devil take the hindmost, blame the victim."
Conservatism has failed American families, big time. All your "quiverfuls" in your gated communities and your megachurches can't erase the sh*t stain you and your lot have left on this country.
20. oh--and Ivan--Happy THANKSGIVING!
(i did not p.c.-neuter the holiday's name to Holiday, Feast, Fall, Harvest or a host of other liberalspeak terms.)
21. Ivan - Are you referring to Malibu, CA and the gated communities there by Babs and co?
No one was suggesting shaming the kids - it is the parent that should be shamed. Instead libbies don't want anyone to feel bad about their actions so compensate them for it. And if you remember the welfare reform made things harder to get hand-outs, and it has got many of these people working, and grateful for it.
22. Nice rant at #19, Ivan. If you are denying that Democrats want to create a culture of government dependency you aren't doing a very convincing job.
23. Bill @ 22:
And if you're denying that conservatives want to create a culture of corporate absolutism, you aren't doing a very good job.
24. Ignoring the elephant in the living room is as true with the violent crime problem as well, another offshoot of the lack of a positive male role model in some communities. 70% of homicides are committed by 25% of the population (FBI Uniform Crime Report), but we refuse to focus on where the problem is.
If this were a medical issue and one group or another were the principal victims of certain pathologies, the media would be screaming to provided focused research to solve the problem. But addressing the crime issue in the same way is seen as racist, and thus ignored.
25. Ivan, "corporate absolutisim" is just another one of the left's favorite communist slogans. I'll take the benefits of corporations that we all enjoy over the dubious benefits of the nanny state any day.
26. And "government dependency" is yours, as if only those feckless immigrants and colored people, and not great corporations, were sucking greedily at the public teat.
Please consider becoming Washington State Republican Party chairman. We need you to be the voice for the conservative cause.
27. Oh yes, the "Republicans want poor children and blacks to starve" argument. Used often to turn discussion away from the "War on Poverty" and other failed social programs of the Democratic Party.
Ivan, I believe you are as old as I am. If you are you remember a vastly different Democratic Party, one that believed in cutting taxes and doing great works like the Snake and Columbia river hydroelectric/irrigation projects. Warren Magnuson wouldn't recognize your party.
28. FYI:
French marriage rate plunges as population, birth rate rise
By Molly Moore
The Washington Post
PARIS -- Sandrine Folet and Lucas Titouh have two children, a stylish Paris apartment and a 15-year-old partnership.
They have no intention of getting married.
"We don't feel the need to get married," said Folet, 36, who has known Titouh, 40, since she was a teenager. "I don't know many people in our age group who are married."
In France, marriage has increasingly fallen out of favor. Growing numbers of couples are choosing to raise children, buy homes and build lives without religious or civil approval of their partnerships. In the past generation, the French marriage rate has plunged more than 30 percent, even as population and birthrates have been rising.
"Marriage doesn't have the same importance as it used to," said France Prioux, who directs research on changing social trends for France's National Institute of Demographic Studies. "It will never become as frequent as it once was."
Marriage is in decline across much of northern Europe, a pattern some sociologists describe as a "soft revolution" in European society, a generational shift away from Old World traditions and institutions toward a greater emphasis on personal independence.
No fans of marriage
French couples are abandoning the formality of marriage faster than most of their European neighbors and far more rapidly than their U.S. counterparts:
French marriage rates are 45 percent below U.S. figures. In 2004, the most recent year for which figures are available, the marriage rate in France was 4.3 per 1,000 people, compared with 5.1 in the United Kingdom and 7.8 in the United States. The only European countries with rates lower than France's were Belgium, at 4.1, and Slovenia, with 3.3.
The Washington Post
The trend in France is driven by a convergence of social transitions in the demographic and cultural landscapes, including this generation's nearly universal estrangement from religion, especially the Roman Catholic Church; massive migration to urban areas, where young adults are more independent from their families; and a society that has become not only tolerant but supportive of personal choice in lifestyles.
The increase in out-of-wedlock birthrates is more dramatic: In 2005, 59 percent of all first-born French children were born to unwed parents, most by choice, not chance. The numbers were not driven by single mothers, teenage mothers or poor mothers, but by couples from all social and economic backgrounds who chose parenthood without marriage vows.
France's two most high-profile female politicians live with well-known partners they have not married. Ségolène Royal, who last week won the Socialist Party nomination for president in next year's election, and François Hollande, the party's leader, have had four children during their 25 years of cohabitation.
French Defense Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, another possible presidential contender, has spent nearly 22 unmarried years living with Patrick Ollier, a member of the National Assembly.
"We never had time to get married," Alliot-Marie said in a recent interview. Royal has expressed distaste for the notion, once calling marriage a "bourgeois institution."
"Getting married 30 years ago was part of a tradition," said Maiten de Cazanove, who trains counselors for the Catholic Church's French Centers for Marriage Preparation, an organization engaged in public outreach to lure more couples to the altar.
"People got married because their parents were married and couldn't imagine their children not getting married, or having children outside of marriage. ... Nowadays, people who don't want to get married don't do it to rebel, or to reject religion; they do so because to them, loving someone doesn't have anything to do with society. It's personal."
The tax breaks the French government offers married couples, which are not as substantial as U.S. marriage tax reductions, are not enough to persuade most cohabitating couples to formalize their relationships. In France, the greatest financial and tax incentives target the number of children a couple has.
A small but growing number of couples are taking advantage of a new law recognizing "civil partnerships," which provide legal recognition of a couple but stop short of a marriage pact. And some couples have married after their children are grown, because although the law provides equal inheritance for children born in or out of wedlock, unwed partners are not automatically entitled to inherit property after the death of a companion.
Contrary to predictions 30 years ago, when the marital downslide began, French family social structures have not disintegrated. Instead, society has accepted and embraced changing attitudes. French law stopped distinguishing between children born in or out of wedlock more than 30 years ago.
"Now it's not looked down upon," Folet said. "You don't have any pressure."
Researcher Corinne Gavard contributed to this report.
Copyright
29. WVH: Why, thank you, sir. On this day of giving thanks for all of our blessings, our traditions, our culture, our independence, our personal relationships, among them marriage, the first thing I REALLY want to aspire to is emulating the French! Yes, I do so want to be like them, along with their inability to control their violent mobs, their government's desire to make money by dealing with terrorist states rather than keep their own country secure, their hedonist personal choices that include very little accountability, their elevation of self over any other values. Been there many times, experienced the French first-hand. No thank you.
30. Katomar 29--oui, oui in spades!! Progressive Europe i fear is in a death spiral. too much tolerance and no interest in preserving traditions that made them great. a Petri dish in the making for us to learn from.
but, we may still have a chance here in America if the libs dont' keep selling us out to the UN and other p.c. causes.
Happy THANKSGIVING to all, esp. Shark & co. for their efforts!
also wishes to Even-handed-Ivan. I hate his twisted lib political views, but he undoubtedly has family & friends to be thankful for. this sword scabbered today for holiday, unsheathed tomorrow. enjoy, my Little Blue Turkey.
31. I am thankful today that I have the health and strength of body and mind to fight every day in every way to defeat the twisted logic and false assumptions that I read on this site.
I am thankful today that I have been able to see clearly that conservatism, although it is touted as "rational," employs in practice a naked emotional appeal to fear, loathing, greed, and a mania to control others.
I am thankful that the voters in WA state have defeated and discredited conservatives across the state, especially the loathsome Luke Esser and Brad Benson, not to mention John Groen and Stephen Johnson.
So enjoy your Thanksgivings, because tomorrow we will be right back at it. My Thanksgiving will be sweet indeed.
32. Ivan @ 31 says: I am thankful today that I have the health and strength of body and mind to fight every day in every way to defeat the twisted logic and false assumptions that I read on this site.
Apparently you only read your own posts!
33. #29 & 30:
If you will note, the post is FYI. See, my post at
#8. What consenting adults do, well, it is not my business. Society has an interest in educating children and ennuciating a standard of care for the rearing of children. When children become involved, it is not just consenting adults. The optimum situation to raise a child, in my opinion, is a family parented by two heterosexual parents who are married. The marriage, although the divorce stats are high, indicates a level of committment. There can also be great parents who are singles and gay, but what one would find is they have a level of committment to being a parent and often seek out role models for their child(ren). My point is that a lot of groups are experincing crisis. What your feelings are regarding the French or Europeans is up to you.
34. Even though I have absolutely no idea what sort of conservatism you are referring to Ivan, I do want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving.
35. Ivan:
I am surprised you actually celebrate Thanksgiving. Who is it you give thanks to? I somehow doubt our Lord would accept your thanks for such spiteful, bile filled items you have listed. Chew that turkey very carefully, mate;, careful you don't choke.
36. #35 According to Lamentations, God's mercy is new every day. According to Scripture, we are all sinners saved by Grace. At the core of Christianity is the message of foregiveness. Since I am not God, I don't know what God chooses to do or not do. I do know that according to Scripture, it is God's will that all are saved. I don't need people to agree with me in order for me to wish them well. I wish all the posters here a Happy Thanksgiving and because I am a Christian, I will wish all a Merry Christmas and the best 2007 possible.
37. Are those having babies out of wedlock having more sex than those teenagers that don't get pregnant. I think the problem is access to birth control and better sex education. Since, we are speaking about race, I was shocked to find just how much sex white teenagers (college age)were having without the ladies losing their virginity or getting pregnant. This was in the early sixties. It may have been a class thing. Knowledge can go a long way.
I must say that I feel there are many more black women that succeed, being a single unwed mother, than in other groups.
38. I think that to approach this problem openly one would only be attacked and accused of trying degrade the said race. It could be a planned thing to increase that population at the government expense.
39. You define the problem.
Please allow me to propose some solutions.
If a woman is unable to support her child by herself and admits same by signing up for welfare or suing for paternity, then consider a switch in custody of the child to the father FIRST!!!!
BEFORE even taking one dime of his money or comitting the CRIME of peonage.
Should either party to a marriage petition for divorce, consider joint parenting as the FIRST choice. Require proof of fault for any support order or property division beyond what either party brought into the marriage. Presume the PETITIONER to be at fault for the failure of the marriage, with opportunity to rebut such presumption, with hearsay rule as strictly enforced as it is in other civil cases and in criminal cases, and with both parties having the opportunity to cross examine adverse witnesses.
Full and complete respect and enforcement of the rights guaranteed by the Washington Constitution and the United States Constitution in all proceedings in family law and welfare. That means no denial of equal protection of Article I Section 17 of the Washington Constitution, which prohibits imprisonment for debt.
That means no license suspensions for matters that are unrelated to the activities licensed. Payment or nonpayment of child support is as unrelated to safely operating a motor vehicle or hunting Roosevelt elk as the gender, race, or religious belief of the license holder.
That means no gender bias in the divorce courts. Due to the financial interests of so many divorce lawyers and due to the number of judges and commissioners who profited of the present divorce system or do not want to be a threat to those who do, this will require a right of both parties to a divorce to a jury trial as to fact.
If you read the 7th Amendment, you might consider that the amount in controversy in a typical divorce is considerably more than the inflation equivalent of $20 in 1791 money.
The Gourley decision by the Supreme Court of Washington presents us with the necessity of strengthening the due process protections and rights of protection order respondents.
I have other ideas, but this is a start.
Please consider these ideas carefully and think through your reactions to my humbly offered proposals.
40. You define the problem.
Please allow me to propose some solutions.
If a woman is unable to support her child by herself and admits same by signing up for welfare or suing for paternity, then consider a switch in custody of the child to the father FIRST!!!!
BEFORE even taking one dime of his money or comitting the CRIME of peonage.
Should either party to a marriage petition for divorce, consider joint parenting as the FIRST choice. Require proof of fault for any support order or property division beyond what either party brought into the marriage. Presume the PETITIONER to be at fault for the failure of the marriage, with opportunity to rebut such presumption, with hearsay rule as strictly enforced as it is in other civil cases and in criminal cases, and with both parties having the opportunity to cross examine adverse witnesses.
Full and complete respect and enforcement of the rights guaranteed by the Washington Constitution and the United States Constitution in all proceedings in family law and welfare. That means no denial of equal protection of Article I Section 17 of the Washington Constitution, which prohibits imprisonment for debt.
That means no license suspensions for matters that are unrelated to the activities licensed. Payment or nonpayment of child support is as unrelated to safely operating a motor vehicle or hunting Roosevelt elk as the gender, race, or religious belief of the license holder.
That means no gender bias in the divorce courts. Due to the financial interests of so many divorce lawyers and due to the number of judges and commissioners who profited of the present divorce system or do not want to be a threat to those who do, this will require a right of both parties to a divorce to a jury trial as to fact.
If you read the 7th Amendment, you might consider that the amount in controversy in a typical divorce is considerably more than the inflation equivalent of $20 in 1791 money.
The Gourley decision by the Supreme Court of Washington presents us with the necessity of strengthening the due process protections and rights of protection order respondents.
I have other ideas, but this is a start.
Please consider these ideas carefully and think through your reactions to my humbly offered proposals.
41. hathor 37 i agree--also, i think papers & MSM do not want to find & laud the success stories. also the culture reformers like Steele and Cosby.
it makes better print & class warfare agenda to keep the divisions/dependency and not swallow the cod liver oil of change and responsibility.
42. Gotta love a jimmie. Intelligence tends to be what's indicated in a free forum for expression of ideas, yet a Jimmie finds his way onto every blog. My wish would be eternal damnation to the ultimate limiting factor of total freedom: lack of collective intelligence (group wisdom) possible when the unfortunate aspects of free expression are allowed to speak and lower the groupthink substantially. Props to Jimmie for his exercise of free expression! I hope he's also physically exercising, so that it would not be his poor lifestyle choices of a lack of good nutrition (anyone who can post to a blog good be reading up on so many other subjects) and exercise that are ultimately the real drains on what could be any good public healthcare system. I hope he's at least happy, because people who are sad or angry can suck the happiness out of a whole group that would otherwise do just fine. I'm happy, but I have to get to work. My work income sustains my existence, and I am a woman with no kids. My goodness...self sufficiency is maybe possible? Not as long as there are Jimmies. But we all do have the right to be here, somehow.