Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This report presents information on trends and variations in nonmarital childbearing in the United States and includes information on the factors that have contributed to the recent changes. Data are presented for 1940-99 with emphasis on the trends in the 1990's. METHODS: Data in this report are presented on a variety of measures of nonmarital childbearing, including numbers, rates, and percent of births to unmarried women. Most of the data is from the National Vital Statistics System. Additional data explaining the trends shown are from the National Survey of Family Growth, the U.S. Census Bureau, and other national surveys. Data are presented and interpreted principally in charts and related tables. RESULTS: After rising dramatically during the half century from 1940 to 1990, out-of-wedlock childbearing leveled off, or slowed its rate of increase, in the 1990's. Many factors contributing to the long-term changes as well as more recent trends are described. These include changes in marriage patterns, sexual activity, contraceptive use, and abortion. The experience of the United States is put into context with data on nonmarital childbearing for other industrialized countries. Possible future trends in out-of-wedlock births are considered in the context of current population and birth patterns.

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