As of 2008, approximately 2.5% of U.S. children joined their families through adoption, including adoptions from foster care, private domestic adoptions, international adoptions, and stepparent adoptions.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Adoption", some of which are shown below.
In 2007, approximately 1.8 million children lived with adoptive rather than biological parents. Their adoptions may have been arranged privately within the United States (38% of adoptions into households without a biological parent), or their adoptions have been made from foster care (37%) or from international sources (25%).
67% of international adoptions and 59% of private domestic adoptions occurred before the child was age 2, compared with only 28% of foster care adoptions.
Do you think that adoption of white children is the majority? Think again!
Adopted children, when compared with all children, were LESS likely to be White, non-Hispanic or Hispanic and were more likely to be Black, non-Hispanic or Asian, non-Hispanic.
Family income varied by adoption type: 93% of children adopted internationally lived in families with incomes over $43,500, compared with 53% of children adopted from foster care and 65% of children adopted privately within the United States.
Nationally, in 2008, 21.5% of adopted children were of a different race than their adoptive parent.
In 2007, 68% of adopted children ages 0–5 were read to every day as compared to 48% of all children in this age group.
Positive social behaviors were exhibited by 83% of children adopted from foster care, compared with 91% of children adopted privately within the United States.
94% of children adopted from foster care were continuously insured throughout the year, compared with 88% of children adopted privately within the United States.
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Should she make an adoption plan?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Recent teen sexuality statistics
In 2009, only 46% of high school students reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
In 2009, 32% of 9th-grade students reported ever having had sexual intercourse, compared with 62% of 12th-grade students.
Early sexual activity is associated with emotional and physical health risks such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs, including HIV, can infect a person for a lifetime and have consequences including disability and early death.
Meanwhile, delaying sexual initiation is associated with a decrease in the number of lifetime sexual partners, and decreasing the number of lifetime partners is associated with a decrease in the rate of STIs.
Additionally, teen pregnancy is associated with a number of negative risk factors, not only for the mother but also for her child.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Sexual Activity".
You may find it helpful to read the chapter “Restoring Sexual Integrity” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
In 2009, 32% of 9th-grade students reported ever having had sexual intercourse, compared with 62% of 12th-grade students.
Early sexual activity is associated with emotional and physical health risks such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs, including HIV, can infect a person for a lifetime and have consequences including disability and early death.
Meanwhile, delaying sexual initiation is associated with a decrease in the number of lifetime sexual partners, and decreasing the number of lifetime partners is associated with a decrease in the rate of STIs.
Additionally, teen pregnancy is associated with a number of negative risk factors, not only for the mother but also for her child.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Sexual Activity".
You may find it helpful to read the chapter “Restoring Sexual Integrity” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Monday, July 25, 2011
2011 Report on Secure Parental Employment
Secure parental employment reduces the incidence of poverty, is associated with higher family income and greater access to private health insurance. One measure of secure parental employment is the percentage of children whose resident parent or parents were employed full time during a given year.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Secure Parental Employment", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, 83% of children living in families maintained by two married parents had at least one parent who worked year round, full time.
In contrast, only 54% of children living in families maintained by a single father and 44% of children living in families maintained by a single mother had a parent who worked year round, full time.
In 2009, 44% of children living in families maintained by two married parents who were living below the poverty line had at least one parent working year round, full time, compared with 88% of children living at or above the poverty line.
Talk to your pregnant daughter about these statistics. If she plans to be a single mother, what type of job will she be able to keep right now? Will she be able to have a full-time, year-round job? Would an adoption plan be of benefit to both her child and herself?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Should she make an adoption plan?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Secure Parental Employment", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, 83% of children living in families maintained by two married parents had at least one parent who worked year round, full time.
In contrast, only 54% of children living in families maintained by a single father and 44% of children living in families maintained by a single mother had a parent who worked year round, full time.
In 2009, 44% of children living in families maintained by two married parents who were living below the poverty line had at least one parent working year round, full time, compared with 88% of children living at or above the poverty line.
Talk to your pregnant daughter about these statistics. If she plans to be a single mother, what type of job will she be able to keep right now? Will she be able to have a full-time, year-round job? Would an adoption plan be of benefit to both her child and herself?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Should she make an adoption plan?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Friday, July 22, 2011
2011 Report on Child Poverty and Family Income
In 2009, 21% of all American children ages 0–17 (15.5 million) lived in poverty (family income of less than $21,756).
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Child Poverty and Family Income", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, the poverty threshold for a two-parent, two-child family was $21,756. The income classes are derived from the ratio of the family's income to the family's poverty threshold.
A child living in extreme poverty is defined as a child living in a family with income less than 50% of the poverty threshold. In other words, family income of less than $10,878 (50% of $21,756).
Below poverty, but above extreme poverty, is defined as 50–99% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $10,878 to $21,756)
Low income is defined as 100–199% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $21,756 to $43,511)
Medium income is defined as 200–399% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $43,512 to $87,023)
High income is defined as being at or above 400% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $87,024 or more)
In 2009, 31% of children lived in families with medium income; 22% of children lived in families with low income and 28% of children lived in families with high income.
The poverty rate for related children living in female-householder families (no spouse present) was 44% in 2009, an increase from the low of 39% in 2001. The poverty rate for related children in married couple families increased from 8% to 11% over this time period.
Talk to your pregnant daughter about these statistics. Where does your family fall on the income scale? If your daughter plans on being a single mother, how much money will she be able to earn? Where will she fall on the income scale then? Would an adoption plan be of benefit to her child and to herself, so that the child is raised in a higher-income family and so that she can finish school and get a better-paying job?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Should she make an adoption plan?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Child Poverty and Family Income", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, the poverty threshold for a two-parent, two-child family was $21,756. The income classes are derived from the ratio of the family's income to the family's poverty threshold.
A child living in extreme poverty is defined as a child living in a family with income less than 50% of the poverty threshold. In other words, family income of less than $10,878 (50% of $21,756).
Below poverty, but above extreme poverty, is defined as 50–99% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $10,878 to $21,756)
Low income is defined as 100–199% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $21,756 to $43,511)
Medium income is defined as 200–399% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $43,512 to $87,023)
High income is defined as being at or above 400% of the poverty threshold. (Family income of $87,024 or more)
In 2009, 31% of children lived in families with medium income; 22% of children lived in families with low income and 28% of children lived in families with high income.
The poverty rate for related children living in female-householder families (no spouse present) was 44% in 2009, an increase from the low of 39% in 2001. The poverty rate for related children in married couple families increased from 8% to 11% over this time period.
Talk to your pregnant daughter about these statistics. Where does your family fall on the income scale? If your daughter plans on being a single mother, how much money will she be able to earn? Where will she fall on the income scale then? Would an adoption plan be of benefit to her child and to herself, so that the child is raised in a higher-income family and so that she can finish school and get a better-paying job?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Should she make an adoption plan?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Adolescent Births
Compared with babies born to older mothers, babies born to adolescent mothers, particularly young adolescent mothers, are at higher risk of low birthweight and infant mortality. They are more likely to grow up in homes that offer lower levels of emotional support and cognitive stimulation and they are less likely to earn high school diplomas. For the mothers, giving birth during adolescence is associated with limited educational attainment, which in turn can reduce employment prospects and earnings potential.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Adolescent Births", some of which are shown below.
There were 124,256 births to adolescents aged 15-17 in 2009, according to preliminary data.
In 2009, 94% of births to females ages 15–17 were to unmarried mothers, compared with 62% in 1980.
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Who is the pregnant single mother?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Adolescent Births", some of which are shown below.
There were 124,256 births to adolescents aged 15-17 in 2009, according to preliminary data.
In 2009, 94% of births to females ages 15–17 were to unmarried mothers, compared with 62% in 1980.
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Who is the pregnant single mother?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Child care statistics
Many children spend time with a child care provider other than their parents.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Child Care", some of which are shown below.
In 2010, 48% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers were primarily cared for by a relative—their father, grandparent, sibling, other relative, or mother— while she worked.
24% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers spent the most amount of time in a center-based arrangement (day care, nursery school, preschool, or Head Start).
14% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers were primarily cared for by a nonrelative in a home-based environment, such as a family day care provider, nanny, babysitter, or au pair.
Does your pregnant daughter hope to have a family member provide child care for her while she is in school or at a job? Or does she plan to use a center-based or nonrelative child care program?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Childcare responsibilities” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Child Care", some of which are shown below.
In 2010, 48% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers were primarily cared for by a relative—their father, grandparent, sibling, other relative, or mother— while she worked.
24% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers spent the most amount of time in a center-based arrangement (day care, nursery school, preschool, or Head Start).
14% of children ages 0–4 with employed mothers were primarily cared for by a nonrelative in a home-based environment, such as a family day care provider, nanny, babysitter, or au pair.
Does your pregnant daughter hope to have a family member provide child care for her while she is in school or at a job? Or does she plan to use a center-based or nonrelative child care program?
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Childcare responsibilities” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Births to unmarrried women
Children of unmarried mothers are at higher risk of adverse birth outcomes such as low birthweight and infant mortality than are children of married mothers. They are also more likely to live in poverty than children of married mothers. Children are at greater risk for adverse consequences when born to a single mother, because the social, emotional, and financial resources available to the family may be limited.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Births to Unmarried Women", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, 41% of all births were to unmarried women.
Nearly half of first births were to unmarried women in 2009. Almost three-fourths of births to women under age 25 having their first child were nonmarital.
The percentage of all births to unmarried women rose from 18% of total births in 1980 to 33% in 1994. From 1994 to 2002, the percentage ranged from 32% to 34%. The percentage has increased more rapidly since 2002, reaching 41% in 2009.
Between 1980 and 1994, the birth rate for unmarried women ages 15–44 increased from 29.4 to 46.2 per 1,000.
Between 1995 and 2002, the rate fluctuated little, ranging from 42.9 to 44.3 per 1,000.
From 2002 to 2008, however, the rate increased from 43.7 to 52.5 per 1,000, before declining to 50.6 per 1,000 in 2009.
The birth rate among unmarried adolescents ages 15–19 declined between 1994 and 2005, increased in 2006 and 2007, and then decreased slightly in 2008.
Among adolescent subgroups, the rate for adolescents ages 15–17 declined from 31.7 per 1,000 in 1994 to 19.7 in 2005 and has changed little since (it was 20.6 in 2008).
For adolescents ages 18–19, the birth rate declined from 1994 to 2003 and increased annually from 2003 to 2007; the rate declined in 2008, when it was 61.9 per 1,000.
Birth rates for unmarried women in their twenties changed relatively little during the mid- to late 1990s. In the 2000s, for women ages 20–24, the rate rose from 70.5 per 1,000 in 2002 to 79.2 in 2008, and, for women ages 25–29, the rate rose from 58.5 per 1,000 in 2000 to 76.1 in 2008.
Birth rates for unmarried women ages 30–44 have steadily increased since the late 1990s.
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Who is the pregnant single mother?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Births to Unmarried Women", some of which are shown below.
In 2009, 41% of all births were to unmarried women.
Nearly half of first births were to unmarried women in 2009. Almost three-fourths of births to women under age 25 having their first child were nonmarital.
The percentage of all births to unmarried women rose from 18% of total births in 1980 to 33% in 1994. From 1994 to 2002, the percentage ranged from 32% to 34%. The percentage has increased more rapidly since 2002, reaching 41% in 2009.
Between 1980 and 1994, the birth rate for unmarried women ages 15–44 increased from 29.4 to 46.2 per 1,000.
Between 1995 and 2002, the rate fluctuated little, ranging from 42.9 to 44.3 per 1,000.
From 2002 to 2008, however, the rate increased from 43.7 to 52.5 per 1,000, before declining to 50.6 per 1,000 in 2009.
The birth rate among unmarried adolescents ages 15–19 declined between 1994 and 2005, increased in 2006 and 2007, and then decreased slightly in 2008.
Among adolescent subgroups, the rate for adolescents ages 15–17 declined from 31.7 per 1,000 in 1994 to 19.7 in 2005 and has changed little since (it was 20.6 in 2008).
For adolescents ages 18–19, the birth rate declined from 1994 to 2003 and increased annually from 2003 to 2007; the rate declined in 2008, when it was 61.9 per 1,000.
Birth rates for unmarried women in their twenties changed relatively little during the mid- to late 1990s. In the 2000s, for women ages 20–24, the rate rose from 70.5 per 1,000 in 2002 to 79.2 in 2008, and, for women ages 25–29, the rate rose from 58.5 per 1,000 in 2000 to 76.1 in 2008.
Birth rates for unmarried women ages 30–44 have steadily increased since the late 1990s.
You may find it helpful to read the chapters “Who is the pregnant single mother?” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
Have questions? Want to talk about this post or other issues? Write a comment, join us on Facebook, or talk with us on our new Grandparent Support Group!
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