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"As marriage has declined, though, childbearing has not, which means that more children are living in families without two parents and the resources they bring.
by moomin 9y ago
"As marriage has declined, though, childbearing has not, which means that more children are living in families without two parents and the resources they bring."
Er, no, it doesn't mean that at all. I mean, I 100% support anyone doing the ridiculously hard job of raising a kid all by themselves, but just because Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson aren't married it doesn't mean they aren't committed to each other and their children.
Anyway, maybe the truth is: people don't have to get married, and it's expensive to do so. I don't think there's any great mystery here.
- madengr 9y agoGet married is cheap. Getting a divorce is expensive.
- technofire 9y ago> just because Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson aren't married it doesn't mean they aren't committed to each other and their children. From the article: "The decline in marriage was not offset by more couples living together."
- humanrebar 9y ago> ...just because Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson aren't married it doesn't mean they aren't committed to each other and their children. Sure, but marriage is literally a commitment to each other, current offspring, and future offspring. Theoretically a couple could enter an "anuptual agreement", but that's a rare occurrence if it happens at all. A vaguely defined agreement can work fine, sure. But specifically defined and specifically enforced agreements have their merits.