Census defines 'parents' down

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | January 5, 2009 | Editorial

[Graybeard58]

The turnaround was stunning. As reported by The New York Times, the Census Bureau says the number of black children being raised by two parents jumped 14 percent, turning decades of precipitous decline on a dime. While demographers had a range of explanations, they agreed with Harvard University sociologist Robert Sampson: "It's a positive change. It's been hidden."

More like manufactured. The actual reason was found in an almost-throwaway paragraph in the Times' article: "The Census Bureau attributed an indeterminate amount of the increase to revised definitions adopted in 2007, which identify as parents any man and woman living together, whether or not they are married or the child's biological parents." Indeterminate? The bureau defined "parent" down well below what a reasonable person would consider "mother" or "father" and then computed the number of children living with those "parents" to produce a bogus statistic.

The percentage of black children living with two parents has fallen consistently since 1970, from 59 to 35 until magically jumping to 40 in 2007. Demographers and the Times disserve the truth, black Americans and the family institution with this statistical trick.

Statistics compiled by Save America Ministries tell the real story:

In the last half century, the percentage of black families headed by married couples had declined from more than 70 to 46. The rate of marriage for black women has been cut in half, and the percentage of unmarried black women in their 20s has spiked from 33 to 70.

"Promiscuity has decimated Black marriage," resulting in "a level of fatherlessness unprecedented in modern history and perhaps in world history." In 1960, when blacks were much worse off economically, only 23 percent of black children were born out of wedlock; today, it's 70 percent, and the largest increase in illegitimate births has occurred among black women 20-24. Sixty-five percent of never-married black women have children, double the rate of white women. An astounding 85 percent of black children do not live in a home with their fathers.

You don't change these statistics by defining parenthood down or by nurturing and rewarding the anti-social behaviors that produce them. You do it by placing a greater value on the two-parent family and recognizing it as the best environment for raising children.

[Graybeard58]

Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.

If you want on or off this list, let me know.

[Sherman Logan]

"The Census Bureau attributed an indeterminate amount of the increase to revised definitions adopted in 2007, which identify as parents any man and woman living together, whether or not they are married or the child's biological parents."

Statistically, the greatest danger a mother can inflict on her children is to bring a man she's not married to into the home.

[acapesket]

I was actually threatened by a man named “Frank” (oxymoron... for a name....if there is ever was one!) on the phone this morning for refusing to confirm my address and contact number. I asked why I should be answering all of the personal questions over the phone when I could not be sure to whom I was speaking. “Frank” said it was his job and that Congress demanded that I reply to these questions regarding federal and local funding etc. The “population growth is changing at such a rapid rate” he replied. I told “Frank” that his job sucked and if Congress was soooo concerned why didn't they contact the 30 M illegals in the country and ask them the same questions?
“Frank” said they wouldn't answer and I said neither would I.

He then said he would refer my case to the Justice Department with a “red Flag”.

I said that if being a smart ass was was a red flag for it!

I assume that I will be harassed soon, after all I am an American born Citizen under the new Obama regime.

[goodnesswins]

Are you KIDDING???? Must have been some scam....whatever, you did GREAT!

[gidget7]

You have got to be kidding. I have never been contacted by census people by phone. Oh we get the surveys in the mail, but not by phone. I agree, I wouldn't give it over the phone either.
Sounds fishy to me.

[gidget7]

OK, slight possible correction. We don't answer the phone until the answering machine picks up and we know who it is. LOL (No caller ID) and I doubt they would leave a message.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Looks to me as if the NY Times is paving the way for 0bama, because as we all know, come January 21st, all will be well. All children will suddenly be ‘legitimate.’ Daddies will all have jobs to support their ‘families’ and come home for supper each night.

‘Baby Daddies’ will be the new Hand That Rocks the Cradle! *SPIT*

Pretty blatant.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Promiscuity has decimated Black marriage...”

Actually, the black marriage has been ruined (and white marriages, too) as a direct result of 50 years of SOCIALISM.

They planted it; Republicans let it grow instead of getting out the Roundup, and now we reap it.

Thanks again, FDR! Thanks again, Libtards! Thanks again, Democrats. Thanks again, RINOs! :)

[MrB]

There’s another part of this anti-family agenda (and make no mistake, EVERY policy of the left is anti-family, on purpose),

the left is getting concerned over the growing number of folks pointing to the negative social consequences of children raised without fathers.

So, now they’ll just hide the cause by defining it away.

[Excellence]

Do you have caller ID? If you got a number, a call to the police might be in order.

[acapesket]

I do. It looked legit. Got another threatening letter today with NO Census attached! Go figure!

[BuffaloJack]

I suppose that depends upon what “IS” means.
Liberals redefining a term they don’t like.