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51% of Women Are Now Living Without Spouse
New York Times ^ | 16 January 2007 | Sam Roberts

Posted on 01/16/2007 10:04:04 AM PST by shrinkermd

For what experts say is probably the first time, more American women are living without a husband than with one, according to a New York Times analysis of census results.

In 2005, 51 percent of women said they were living without a spouse, up from 35 percent in 1950 and 49 percent in 2000.

Coupled with the fact that in 2005 married couples became a minority of all American households for the first time, the trend could ultimately shape social and workplace policies, including the ways government and employers distribute benefits.

Several factors are driving the statistical shift. At one end of the age spectrum, women are marrying later or living with unmarried partners more often and for longer periods. At the other end, women are living longer as widows and, after a divorce, are more likely than men to delay remarriage, sometimes delighting in their newfound freedom.

In addition, marriage rates among black women remain low. Only about 30 percent of black women are living with a spouse, according to the Census Bureau, compared with about 49 percent of Hispanic women, 55 percent of non-Hispanic white women and more than 60 percent of Asian women.

In a relatively small number of cases, the living arrangement is temporary, because the husbands are working out of town, are in the military or are institutionalized. But while most women eventually marry, the larger trend is unmistakable.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: culturalentropy; increasing; single; women
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To: Rate_Determining_Step

Thanks, RDS - that's all good and comes naturally:

But there's a distinct qualitative difference between how to be a nice "arm-candy" date and breaking the ice and getting past the cynicism, particularly among fellow travelers more than a couple years into their thirties.

No, sure, you can't get on bended knee on the first date, but isn't there any innocent way of being serious without being a pushover?


321 posted on 01/16/2007 5:34:20 PM PST by IslandJeff (Bad karma, killing me by degree)
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To: Unassuaged

No argument here.


322 posted on 01/16/2007 5:35:13 PM PST by dforest (Liberals love crisis, create crisis and then dwell on them.)
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To: Unassuaged

Badda ba bomp!


323 posted on 01/16/2007 5:35:20 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: IslandJeff; the OlLine Rebel

LOL!

Yeah, I think I've actually clicked on Jeff's profile a time or two on some threads like this.

If'n you were Catholic... ;-)


324 posted on 01/16/2007 5:36:41 PM PST by RosieCotton
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To: skippermd

You're right on several levels..
The quality of the pool of young men today -- is declining every bit as fast as the one for women...

The feminist movement and the emasculation of the American male is partly responsible... Then our "entertainment" industry and MSM pushing for the "cool" metrosexual male - who has found his feminine side -- is a freak to be avoided....

There are still MEN out there... They may not be in the numbers they use to be -- but there are certainly enough to go around for the women who would appreciate them... They're not always the "cutest" or the richest -- but they're men you can count on..

Of course I'm biased -- but find some way to get yourself introduced to some single young Marines.... It's not hard to get into the loop through official Marine Corps activities, families and links... If you've got a Veteran's hospital within a reasonable drive -- spend a Sunday morning there with the men going through rehab... You'll never know who you'll meet....

It used to amaze me in my younger days -- just how hard some lovely and respectable young ladies would work to become volunteers with USO or Toys for Tots or to work on the preparations for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball or to work as volunteer aids at the Veteran Hospitals to meet and help returning wounded Marines from Vietnam...

If I were single and 50 years younger - I'd give you a call!

Semper Fi


325 posted on 01/16/2007 5:37:14 PM PST by river rat (You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: Perdogg
I cannot believe how many women I run into who are single mothers by choice.

The product of hearing since about birth that

1. All men are sub-human

2. You need a man like a fish needs a bicycle (IIRC, that's Gloria Steinem's
old saying...before she got married)

3. The US government and your state government will help you with
Earned Income Credit and a multiplicity of aid...made fatter by
not having an able-bodied adult male in the house

4. And the lesbian life-style is very, very cool.

5. And dare I say, as a male...seeing what jack-@$$es some of my
brothers are...I almost understand the choice.
As much as I despair of it.
326 posted on 01/16/2007 5:37:45 PM PST by VOA
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To: Titan Magroyne

No way, man - I'm more than willing to work on stuff, even with tools on occasion. The problem lies in modern female expectations of masculinity in light of a standard, Classical Protestant upbringing, replete with its (NOT archaic) notions of utilitarianism and the ideal of the Gentleman.

Holding and opening doors just seems like it costs, rather than scores. That encapsulates it reasonably well, I think.


327 posted on 01/16/2007 5:40:32 PM PST by IslandJeff (Bad karma, killing me by degree)
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To: OMalley
Well maybe you are right, however is that the fault of the viewer or wearer?

The tattoo sends out a message. If the tattooee doesn't like the message being received by others, the tattooee needs to change the message being sent.

328 posted on 01/16/2007 5:43:12 PM PST by bannie
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To: river rat

Hey there, you've got some good points, too... And I would set myself up with some Marines, but I'm an officer so I can't fraternize so that leaves it to other commissioned officers who are, in general, much older and well my Dad isn't too keen with that (and yes I still listen to what he says, which is a big part of where I am today)... but I agree-- I think thats the best pool to pick from, and they're why I signed up to be a Navy doc.

By the way, Thank you for your service


329 posted on 01/16/2007 5:43:22 PM PST by skippermd
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To: IslandJeff
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
330 posted on 01/16/2007 5:45:19 PM PST by paulat
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To: shrinkermd

bump


331 posted on 01/16/2007 5:47:06 PM PST by lesser_satan (EKTHELTHIOR!!!)
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To: RosieCotton
If'n you were Catholic... ;-)

I actually like the rigidity of the RCC, except for a few doctrinal differences (mostly because I actually work for a Protestant denomination that I don't necessarily follow).

"Christian" is a dealbreaker, "Catholic" is not. My faith is my own. Mass on a weeknight actually works better for me, except my Latin is somewhat lacking.

Stay warm!
332 posted on 01/16/2007 5:48:13 PM PST by IslandJeff (Bad karma, killing me by degree)
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To: HitmanLV

Its just rare to see a guy talk about 'nice guys' like that.


333 posted on 01/16/2007 5:49:11 PM PST by SDGOP
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To: TonyRo76
Gloria "Fish without a Bicycle" Steinem must be awfully proud.

Her analogy has yet to be proven, though. If the majority of these women supported themselves independently she might be right. The majority of these women have their income subsidized by welfare, charity, alimony and/or their husband's social security/retirement payments which proves that they do need a man.

334 posted on 01/16/2007 5:53:01 PM PST by Elyse (I refuse to feed the crocodile.)
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To: SDGOP

Just telling the truth.


335 posted on 01/16/2007 5:54:11 PM PST by HitmanLV (Rock, Rock, Rock and Rollergames! Rockin' & Rolling, Rockin' with Rollergames!)
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To: shrinkermd

...well, I'd like to help out...but I've already got one wife...and my religion won't allow me any more.


336 posted on 01/16/2007 5:55:52 PM PST by Scott from the Left Coast
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To: paulat

[now why did I intuitively know I'd eventually see you on here?]

If the one on the left were a one, and the one on the right a ten, I'm actually about a 4.5. Being still sub-40 works in my favor.


337 posted on 01/16/2007 5:56:03 PM PST by IslandJeff (Bad karma, killing me by degree)
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To: HitmanLV

Nah, just my own nature.

One of my best friends was married for 10 years to a good guy. Decent income, minor hobby in woodworking (big plus in my book), not a slob, not a bit of meanness in him. But capable of neither aggressiveness nor decisiveness. Bad as it makes me look to say this, I saw that divorce coming and wouldn't want him, either. A woman (well, *I*) don't mind a sign that a man is capable of falling a few levels on the evolutionary chain if a situation calls for it.


338 posted on 01/16/2007 5:57:30 PM PST by Titan Magroyne ("Y'know, I've always thought of politics as show business for ugly people." Jay Leno:Al Gore 11/29)
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To: IslandJeff
[now why did I intuitively know I'd eventually see you on here?]

Karma...darlin!! ;)

4.5 is a good deal!!!

339 posted on 01/16/2007 5:59:30 PM PST by paulat
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To: paulat

LOL!!!! That pic is soooo true!!!! As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words".


340 posted on 01/16/2007 6:02:38 PM PST by clooney4824
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