Part 9/10:
As marriage declines, so too do birth rates. U.S. fertility rates have reached historic lows, primarily driven by individuals delaying marriage and, consequently, parenthood. The trend shows that women who marry later are less likely to meet their fertility goals, with a substantial proportion behind in their target births simply because they do not prioritize starting a family outside of marriage.
With many opting to raise children outside of marriage, questions surrounding the stability of these family units arise. Cohabiting arrangements frequently lack the same commitment as marriage. Evidence suggests that these partnerships are often less stable, which can lead to challenges for children raised in such environments.