Family Marital Status and Living Arrangements - Living Arrangements Of Children

Changes in the marital circumstances of adults naturally affect the living arrangements of children. High divorce rates, an increased delay in first marriages, and more out-of-wedlock births have resulted in fewer children living with two parents. In 2000, 69.1 percent of children under age eighteen were living with two parents (not necessarily both natural parents), compared to 77 percent in 1980 and 85 percent in 1970. (See Table 2.7.) The largest proportions of single-parent children were those living with a single, divorced, or widowed mother. Minority children have been particularly affected by these changes.

African-American Children

In 2000, 37.6 percent of African-American children under eighteen years old lived with both parents, 49 percent lived with their mothers only, and 4.2 percent lived

TABLE 2.6
Households by selected characteristics, March 2000
(In thousands)

		Family households				Nonfamily households
	Total	Total	Married couple	Male house-holder	Female house-holder	Total	Male house-holder	Female house-holder
Hispanic
ALL HOUSEHOLDS	9,319	7,561	5,133	658	1,769	1,758	974	783
SIZE OF HOUSEHOLD
One member	1,296	-	-	-	-	1,296	666	630
Two members	1,945	1,641	989	168	484	304	184	120
Three members	1,787	1,706	1,009	168	529	81	61	20
Four members	1,939	1,897	1,362	163	371	42	35	7
Five members	1,265	1,246	958	82	206	18	13	6
Six members	558	548	420	40	89	10	10	-
Seven or more members	529	522	395	38	90	7	6	1
MARITAL STATUS OF HOUSEHOLDER
Married, spouse present	5,133	5,133	5,133	-	-	-	-	-
Married, spouse absent	247	164	-	61	103	82	60	22
Widowed	577	306	-	54	252	271	55	216
Divorced	1,025	601	-	126	475	424	240	184
Separated	530	361	-	60	301	169	103	66
Never married	1,807	996	-	357	639	811	516	296
Note: Hispanics may be of any race.
SOURCE: Adapted from "Table H1. Households by Type, Tenure, and Race and Hispanic Origin of Householder: March 2000," in America's Families and Living Arrangement, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, June 29, 2001 [Online] http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hh-fam/p20-537/1999/tabH1.pdf [accessed March 1, 2004]

with their fathers only. (See Table 2.7.) Approximately 9.2 percent lived with neither parent. In 1970 the proportions of African-American children who lived with one parent (31.8 percent) or two parents (58.5 percent) were virtually the reverse of their living arrangements in 2000. In addition, a disproportionate number of African-Americans are in foster care. According to the Urban League in its annual report, "The State of Black America 2003," African-Americans account for nearly half of the 550,000 children in the foster care system.

Hispanic Children

In 2000, 65.1 percent of Hispanic children under age eighteen were living with both parents, compared to 75.3 percent of white children. (See Table 2.7.) Nearly one-third (29.5 percent) of Hispanic children were living in one-parent situations, considerably more than among whites (21.6 percent), but well below the proportion for African-Americans (53.3 percent). Approximately 5.4 percent of Hispanic children lived with neither parent.

Asian-American Children

The Asian-American family is typically close-knit and respectful of the authority of the elder members of the family. As the younger generation becomes more assimilated into American culture, however, the unchallenged role of elders may not remain as strong. Yet overall, family tradition and honor are still held in high regard. In 2000 most Asian-American children under age eighteen (80.5 percent) were living with both parents. About 14 percent lived with their mothers only, while 2.5 percent lived with their fathers only. Approximately 2.9 percent lived with neither parent. (See Table 2.7.)

At a Disadvantage

Regardless of race or ethnicity, children who live with only one parent are likely to live in more economically disadvantaged circumstances than are children who live with two parents. Children living with one parent are more likely to have parents who are less educated, are unemployed, or have lower incomes.

Housing Grandchildren

Because of many factors, including the high cost of housing, substance abuse, and the inability of some parents to care for their children, many children are living with their grandparents. Among African-Americans, 5.2 percent of children under the age of eighteen lived with a grandparent and neither parent in 2000. The proportion of children who lived with a grandparent is significantly higher (12 percent) when children who live with a grandparent and one or both parents are added to that total. (See Table 2.7.)

Approximately 1.6 percent of Hispanic children under the age of eighteen lived with a grandparent and neither parent in 2000. The proportion jumped to 6.1 percent when children who live with a grandparent and one or both parents are added. Among APIs, less than 1 percent of children under the age of eighteen lived with a grandparent and neither parent in 2000. The proportion

TABLE 2.7
Household relationship and living arrangements of children under 18 years¹, by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin², March 2000
(Numbers in thousands)

Total United States	Total under 18 years¹	Under 1 year	1-2 years	3-5 years	6-8 years	9-11 years	12-14 years	15-17 years	Total under 6 years
All races
Total	72,012	3,868	7,845	11,867	12,067	12,694	11,973	11,698	23,580
Both sexes In household
Living with both parents	49,795	2,660	5,539	8,392	8,321	8,703	8,245	7,936	16,590
Living with mother only	16,162	869	1,671	2,578	2,829	2,945	2,705	2,565	5,118
Living with father only	3,058	218	352	450	499	537	509	493	1,020
Living with neither parent	2,981	121	279	446	414	508	512	702	846
Not in household In group quarters	15	-	4	2	4	0	2	2	6
Living with both parents
Child of householder	48,921	2,565	5,389	8,205	8,199	8,591	8,137	7,836	16,159
Grandchild of householder	531	73	102	121	77	67	59	32	295
Other relative of householder	328	19	49	63	42	45	47	63	131
Nonrelative of householder	16	2	-	4	3	1	2	5	6
Living with mother only
Child of householder	13,283	534	1,218	1,993	2,363	2,528	2,356	2,292	3,744
Grandchild of householder	1,732	270	331	400	259	191	176	105	1,001
Other relative of householder	420	45	46	63	54	65	74	73	154
Nonrelative of householder	727	20	76	122	153	161	99	96	219
Living with father only
Child of householder	2,670	191	305	385	409	480	456	445	881
Grandchild of householder	220	11	32	40	61	33	20	23	83
Other relative of householder	92	10	11	9	9	20	23	10	30
Nonrelative of householder	77	5	4	16	20	5	11	15	26
Living with neither parent³
Grandchild of householder	1,359	42	118	233	206	270	246	245	394
Other relative of householder	799	39	81	108	101	121	124	226	228
Foster child	219	12	17	33	30	31	60	35	63
Other nonrelative of householder	603	28	63	72	76	86	82	196	162
In group quarters
In group quarters	15	-	4	2	4	0	2	2	6
Total United States	Total under 18 years¹	Under 1 year	1-2 years	3-5 years	6-8 years	9-11 years	12-14 years	15-17 years	Total under 6 years	Total 6-12 years	Total 12-17 years
White
Total	56,455	3,103	6,151	9,314	9,477	9,841	9,339	9,230	18,568	19,318	18,569
Both sexes
In household
Living with both parents	42,497	2,331	4,755	7,204	7,188	7,398	6,952	6,669	14,290	14,586	13,621
Living with mother only	9,765	524	934	1,498	1,661	1,735	1,690	1,723	2,955	3,397	3,413
Living with father only	2,427	173	282	345	385	438	408	395	801	824	803
Living with neither parent	1,752	75	176	266	237	269	289	440	517	507	729
Not in household
In group quarters	14	-	4	2	4	0	1	2	6	5	3
Living with both parents
Child of householder	41,795	2,259	4,640	7,075	7,085	7,307	6,852	6,578	13,973	14,392	13,430
Grandchild of householder	404	54	71	83	60	50	54	32	208	110	86
Other relative of householder	281	16	44	43	40	40	44	55	103	80	99
Nonrelative of householder	16	2	-	4	3	1	2	5	6	4	7
Living with mother only
Child of householder	7,964	319	648	1,123	1,370	1,478	1,483	1,544	2,090	2,848	3,026
Grandchild of householder	991	159	193	252	147	101	91	49	604	248	140
Other relative of householder	271	30	32	33	37	36	53	50	94	73	104
Nonrelative of householder	539	15	61	91	107	121	63	80	167	228	143

climbs to 4.4 percent when children who live with a grandparent and also with one or more parents are added. Among whites, 1.2 percent of children under eighteen lived with a grandparent and neither parent in 2000. Of white children under eighteen, 4 percent lived with a grandparent, either with neither parent, one parent, or both parents. (See Table 2.7.)