Census data point to rebound in number of two-parent families

The traditional two-parent family is making a comeback, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In the mid-2000’s, only about two-thirds of families included both mother and father in the home, leading some to write off traditional families altogether.

Research psychologist Nicholas Zill of the Institute for Family Studies says the recent statistics show the percentage of children living with two parents has gradually improved, passing the 70 percent mark in 2020.

“A growing proportion of the child population comes from families that are evangelical Christians, Orthodox Jews other groups that are more committed to traditional two-parent families,” he said. “And we also should point out, a number of immigrant families, including especially those from Asia – Indian families, Pakistani families, Philippine families – which show a greater propensity to have stable two-parent families,” he continued.

READ: Charitable giving hit record high in 2020

Zill also says people looked at the positive results of two-parent families.

“And people put two and two together and said, ‘It is better for children; the conventional wisdom is right!'” he said. “‘It is better for children to have both of their parents in a stable family, in an upbringing.

“And it’s not only better for the individual children, it’s better for the community. It’s better for the neighborhood. When there are other married couples to look out for kids, it results in lower crime and higher school achievement.”

Another finding in his study that Zill calls one of the most encouraging developments is the increase in the number of African American high school seniors being raised by their birth fathers as well as their birth mothers. That percentage rose from 24 percent in 2012 to 30 percent in 2019.

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice