Families in Black America

I was listening to 92.1 on the way to school this morning; the topic of the day was the family life of Black America. It was stated that "40% of African-American women never get married." Callers responded to the statement in numerous ways. Some thought the reason for that high percentage was the behavior of African-American men these days. There is a very low percentage of traditional African-American families with both the mother and the father in the home. Another reason callers thought that 40% of African-American women never get married is because of the way that young ladies are currently being raised. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I'm not saying that anyone is wrong, but I do belive that both are part of the reason. Although it is "right" for the home to have both parents, I do not believe that a single parent would fail raising a child due to NEEDING the other parent in the household. According to Webster's New World Dictioniary, the definition of "need" is "to be required to; must." It is capable for a single parent to raise a child, although it may be difficult. No, a man can't 100% teach a daughter how to grow up to be a woman, and a woman can't 100% teach a son how to grow up to be a man. However, a woman can teach her son what NOT to be as a man, and a man can teach his daughter what NOT to be as a woman. As far as the way girls are raised today, I think there has been a major change. From my great-grandmother's generation and beyond, down to grandmother's generation, all of the girls were raised to be wives. I, myself, was raised to be an independent, to think for myself and be able to provide for myself and one day, my children. Yes, I know everyone has different circumstances, but everyone no matter who you are, have a mother and a father. I think it is ideal for both parents to raise a child, I just do not believe that the child would be a failure if one parent was not there. Why do I think this? Because I'm living proof.