Marriage and the African-American Community

Over the past 50 years, U.S. marriage rates have fallen steadily, particularly for African-Americans. To examine the impact of the decline in marriage on the growth and development of African-American children, the Center on Children and Families hosted a policy discussion on November 28 to examine a new report by the Institute for American Values. That report, The Consequences of Marriage for African-Americans, examined the effects of the plummeting marriage rate on African-American families.

The event also featured a keynote address by District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams, who discussed recent attempts by the D.C. government to increase marriage rates, as well as an overview of a new program the District intends to implement next year. Members of an expert panel discussed why marriage rates have fallen so dramatically among African-Americans; and whether new marriage programs now being implemented around the nation can have an impact on marriage rates or child well-being.