Children Born to Single Mothers Triples Since 1960

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A new study shows that the percentage of
children born to unmarried women in Alabama has tripled since 1960.
The report by Auburn Montgomery's Center for Demographic
Research showed an estimated 36.8 percent of Alabama children were
born to unmarried women in 2006, compared to 11.6 percent in 1960.
The report, called the 2008 Alabama Health Data Sheet, said the
highest rate of out-of-wedlock births was in Wilcox County, with
nearly 72.9 percent born to unwed mothers. Dallas County was second
at nearly 70.9 percent.
Shelby County had the lowest rate at 11.9 percent, with Blount
County second at 17.2 percent.
The state is below the national rate of 38.5 percent. AUM's
Center for Demographic Research cites the decline in marriage rates
in Alabama over the last decade as a major contributing factor.
Despite the increase in out-of-wedlock births, Alabamians have
fewer children today than they did a decade ago, the report
released Friday said. In 1996, there were 14.6 births per 1,000
people in the state; the figure is now 13.7 per 1,000, which is
below the national estimate of 14.2 per 1,000.
The report also shows that many Alabama children are born with
low weight and that the situation hasn't improved much in the last
decade. About 11 out of 100 babies born in Alabama in 2006 were
classified as low-weight births, compared to 9 out of 100 in 1996.
"Many women in Alabama do not receive adequate prenatal care,"
research center director Yanyi Djamba said. "The lack of adequate
prenatal care can have serious health consequences for the mother
and the child."
The data sheet also shows some good news and improvement.
Mortality has declined and there are some indications that the
divorce rate will continue to fall.