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 ...
Can I get a Harumph?!
The learning curve steepens with age! As does the ability to recover from exhaustion!
I must have pussyfooted around too much because I didnt get any flack for #152
This is true. I've discussed this stuff many times on FR, as you know, and the crowd tends to be basically hostile to it. A shame. What are you gunna do?
My tagline comes from a late 1980s national revival of a form of Roller Derby known as 'Rollergames.' It's a line from the theme song on the program!
I meet a lot of women who sit there and whine about how crappy most 'guys' are, but these babes have quite a few problems on their own. It's quite amusing.
That's because they can't argue with the facts....
I would say the 'substantial' portion,
I would say it's a small portion.
I would also say it's a small portion of the married women too. :)
Happily married and still living with my husband!
Today is our 19th anniversary!
It's a selfish existence, but I don't feel guilty about it. I spent most of my life putting family first and this is my time. Friends constantly try to match make and sometimes I go along with them, but I honestly have no interest in marrying again. Many of the single men I meet seem needy in a sad way and I don't want that in my life right now.
Well here’s one. My ex-wife dumped me after 17 years for a computer repairman she met on the Internet. I tried to hold it together but to no avail.
I feel I owe him a big debt of gratitude. She was a stay at home toxic wife and I never even got to enjoy the trophy wife part. She was heavy when I married her and only got bigger, I mean really huge and serious.
She exhibited all the characteristics of a toxic wife in the article except the part being preoccupied with her appearance; she couldn’t even muster the energy for that.
The spousal and child support was a small price to pay to end those dark years of despair and trepidation.
The stupid part is that as a conservative I took my vows, responsibility and commitments seriously and unhappy as I was, I would have never left her.
Same here, (My wife)
Either way, was it luck? Or was it superior insight?
As women behave worse, men happily follow along.
I think this is very true and very telling. Women have a lot more influence over the conduct of men than men do over their own conduct. That's not to say men are not responsible for their actions, it's just that women are in a better position to hold men to a higher standard of conduct and make it work, than men do of holding their fellow men up to a higher standard of conduct.
As for bad parents, I saw a 'porn star in training' Halloween costume on a precocious little girl this past season. Well, there you go!
You're not a dud!
#1, be smart. Don't just "fall in love". Make sure it makes sense. Yes, it has to make sense. It's not simple "romance".
#2, I don't know how old you are, but it's not too late. Sometimes, it just takes a while. It can seem to take forever!
I am 37 and married at the very tail end of 35. My husband was 38. 1st time for each. I'm the 1 here who's "risky" - I risk not being able to have children by nature, and also women are the 1s who allegedly suffer more from age.
By my early '30s I was getting depressed that noone wanted me. Didn't matter how gorgeous or versatile and interesting I was, or how I related to men more than women (tomboy here).
Sometimes things change completely unexpectedly.
You're cute and some smart girl will probably recognize that and the fact you're a "nice guy"!
BTW, if you haven't, don't be afraid to try "ads" - especially on the Internet. Lots of free 1s, and some minor payments. Cast your net far & wide, instead of the narrow hovel of your real-life confines!
Eventually for me & my husband, that's what brought us together! And we only lived 5 min from each other for 15 years! Still took an ad to meet!
My pleasure. I call things like they are. ;-)
Now, there I'd have to disagree with you. Single churchgoing Christian women far outnumber single churchgoing Christian men. Why? Theories abound, but Mr. Fairview's theory is that the church strictures on premarital sex are far, far too difficult for most men to adhere to.
Being single isn't an active choice for a lot of us. It's harder than ever for either sex to meet someone who holds the same values and who is actually interested in settling down and having a family. Not saying it's impossible - I have two married brothers now, but for both, it was almost a miracle that they found one another.
I'm still waiting, praying and hoping for my own miracle. ;-) Not to mention looking.
I've found myself thinking that way the older and more financially secure I become. I have much more to lose and less time to replace it. Plus, I've seen how good loving marriages can turn into the most vicious of battle fields with the only winners being the lawyers. I don't like feeling the need to be so careful or to be suspicious of strong emotions and believe I've missed a couple of potentially very satisfying relationships.
We are blessed!
Where do you live? Have a thing for Accountants?
;0)
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