Why Black Marriage Matters for a Powerful Black Family

Why Black Marriage Matters for a Powerful Black Family

Finding the love of your life and starting a family was once a goal for many young Black men and women. However, in recent decades, Black marriage rates have declined since the 1970s. In the 2020s, many Black households are single-parent households.

While this may not sound like the end of the world, studies show that single-parent households are linked to negative outcomes for children raised in a single-parent home. According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, Black households are less likely to be headed by a married couple.

In 2022, 27% of Black households were headed by a married couple compared to 50% of white households. Studies have shown that two-parent households have better financial and mental health outcomes than single-parent households. Healthy Black marriage is the key to improving single-parent statistics and producing healthy and happy children.

The Importance of Marriage and Family

Younger generations, such as Millennials and Gen Z, are getting married at significantly lower rates than older generations. There are many reasons for this. Many Zoomers and Millennials are focused on other goals, such as their careers and education.

However, marriage has been shown to help increase earning potential. Both men and women experience higher earnings when they are married. According to City Journal, married men can make as much as 40% more than unmarried men. In other words, married men can increase their earnings by almost half as much compared to unmarried men! That’s a significant boost in income.

Women can also benefit financially from being married. Childless, married white women earn about 4% more than their unmarried counterparts, while Black women can earn as much as 10% more than their unmarried counterparts.

While many people may believe that marriage can slow down or even hinder career growth, the data shows that marriage can benefit both men and women financially. Black marriage can significantly boost a Black woman’s earnings.

The Importance of Marriage in the Bible

 Marriage in the bible is depicted as a sacred union designed for companionship, support, and stability.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” This passage highlights the strength that comes from partnership—marriage provides a lifelong companion to share burdens, celebrate victories, and offer encouragement in difficult times.

Similarly, Genesis 2:18 declares, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” This verse reinforces the importance of marriage, showing that humans are meant for companionship. Marriage fulfills a deep emotional and spiritual need, offering a partner to navigate life’s challenges together.

Beyond love and companionship, marriage also plays a crucial role in stability and purpose. It fosters commitment, accountability, and support, all of which contribute to a fulfilling life. In a world where individualism is often emphasized, the biblical foundation of marriage reminds us of the value of unity and the strength found in a committed relationship.

Why Are Black Marriage Rates Declining?

The benefits of marriage seem great—higher income, a stable romantic partner, a life partner, and so on. So why are Black marriage rates relatively low? That’s a bit of a complicated answer.

Effects of Slavery on Black Marriage

You can argue that declining marriage rates can be traced back to slavery. It’s no secret that the effects of slavery have not been positive for Black people. Some of the negative effects include:

• Less access to generational wealth
• Psychological and emotional trauma
• Destruction of Black families

During slavery, enslaved people were not legally allowed to be married, as they were considered property rather than people. Moreover, enslaved families were often separated from one another when being sold. This could look like a mother and child being sold to different slave owners.

This constant threat of family stress manifests today as:

• Fear of abandonment
• Distrust within family units
• A sense of insecurity regarding relationships

Over time, the effects of slavery have created a trickle-down effect affecting different aspects of Black relationships. This can make it difficult to maintain romantic relationships.

Education Gap Between Black Men and Women

In the 1990s, Black men and women completed bachelor’s degrees at about the same rate. Sixteen percent of Black men held a bachelor’s degree, while 14% of Black women held a B.A.

In the last three decades, the education gap between Black men and women has widened. According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, today, about 38% of Black women have earned a college degree, compared to just 26% of Black men.

So how does this affect Black marriage rates? As Black women earn degrees at higher rates than Black men, many women will want a partner with a similar or higher education level. With Black men earning degrees at lower rates than Black women, this can cause lower rates of marriage.

Furthermore, a college degree often leads to higher earning potential. With Black women earning degrees at higher rates, they are also likely to out-earn Black men. This can cause relationship issues, especially in a society and culture where traditional gender roles still play a key role in relationship dynamics.

Black Single-Parent Household Statistics

In the Black community, many children have grown up in single-parent households. With Black marriage rates dropping since the 1970s, today, half of Black children are growing up in a home headed by one parent.

According to the Institute for Family Studies, 48% of Black children are growing up in a single-parent home. One could argue that, in the Black community, growing up in a single-parent household has been normalized. However, studies show that Black children who grow up in a home with both parents have better educational and mental health outcomes.

The Influence of Culture and Media on Black Marriage

Cultural shifts and media representation have played a role in shaping attitudes toward marriage in the Black community. Over the years, television, music, and social media have reflected and, in some cases, reinforced the normalization of single-parent households. While some narratives highlight the resilience and strength of single mothers, others downplay the long-term benefits of marriage and two-parent homes.

In many popular films and TV shows, Black families are often portrayed with absent fathers or fractured relationships, subtly influencing societal expectations. Meanwhile, social media trends and celebrity culture sometimes promote independence over partnership, making marriage seem less necessary. Though these representations do not directly cause a decline in marriage rates, they contribute to shifting cultural norms. When young Black men and women grow up seeing fewer examples of successful marriages, it can shape their expectations about relationships and family life.

Why We Need Black Fathers

Black fathers play a crucial role in the stability and success of their children. Studies indicate that children raised in two-parent households experience better academic achievement, stronger emotional development, and lower rates of poverty. For instance, research from the Institute for Family Studies reveals that Black children from intact families are more likely to avoid poverty and incarceration and to graduate from college compared to their peers from single-parent families.

Despite pervasive stereotypes, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight that Black fathers who reside with their children are highly involved in daily parenting activities. The CDC’s National Health Statistics Reports indicate that 70% of Black fathers living with their children bathe, dress, diaper, or help them use the toilet daily—a higher percentage than their white and Hispanic counterparts.

However, systemic barriers such as mass incarceration, economic instability, and the lingering effects of discriminatory policies have made it more challenging for Black men to fulfill their roles as providers and protectors within the family structure. The absence of fathers can have long-term effects, leading to higher risks of behavioral issues, lower graduation rates, and an increased likelihood of involvement in the criminal justice system.

Why Should You Get Married?

As we touched on earlier, marriage isn’t always the sexiest option for young adults today. Many are putting other life goals before marriage and children. However, marriage offers many benefits for men, women, and children produced by the union.

Genesis teaches us that no man (or woman) should be alone. Studies show that married men and women fare better than single or divorced people. Married people live longer, are happier, and are more affluent than their unmarried counterparts.

Statisticians Bernard Cohen and I-Sing Lee compiled a list of mortality risks and found that being unmarried can reduce a man’s life expectancy by almost ten years! To put that in perspective, heart disease can reduce a man’s life expectancy by just under six years.

Based on this data, being unmarried can be more dangerous than heart disease in the long run. The importance of marriage cannot be understated. 

Conclusion

Black marriage is more than just a romantic commitment—it is a cornerstone of strong families and thriving communities. While historical injustices, systemic barriers, and cultural shifts have contributed to declining marriage rates, the benefits remain undeniable. As the Bible reminds us, “Two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). By prioritizing healthy relationships and strong family structures, the Black community can reclaim the benefits of marriage and create a brighter future for the next generation.

Written by Elijah Sharrieff