After two decades of tumultuous social upheaval, the United States could be entering a period of more social stability-if the liberals in the state legislature do not have their way. According to a report by the US Census Bureau, the percentage of American children living with both their biological parents jumped from 51 percent to 56 percent between 1991 and 1996. However, researchers are not predicting a return to the days when families like the Cleavers were ubiquitous. While non-traditional family structures may be leveling off, they are still prevalent.
Researchers attribute the resurgence of nuclear families to several factors.
Another factor is that births to unmarried mothers have leveled off from its high of 1 out of 3 in 1994. Again, while the unwed birthrate is down, it is still much higher than in 1970 when only one out of 10 children were born out of wedlock. Another factor may be the economy. In 1980, stagflation and double-digit interest rates brought on more financial pressure than many families could handle. To me, the best thing about the latest data on family life is the implications for our culture.