Majority of teens grow up in homes with unmarried parents

By Staff Writer

More than half of America's teenagers have parents who have split up, according to the Index of Belonging and Rejection.

The index, which was produced by the Marriage and Religion Research Institute (MRRI), reveals that only 45 percent of adolescents grew up with intact families. The study defines an intact family as a biological mother and father remaining legally married to one another since before or around the time of their child's birth. Most of the parents of the majority of teens have either divorced, separated or chose not to marry.

Experts believe that the large number of strained relationships between parents contributes to a high rate of problem teens. An official with the MRRI said that many kids grow up with a faulty understanding of the male-female relationship. She said that sustained marriages can lead to financial, educational, legislative, legal and judicial gains in the U.S.

The index's analysis revealed stark differences between races. Approximately 54 percent of white youth live with both of their parents, while only 17 percent of African-American children live with both married parents.

Kids who suffer emotional or behavioral problems because of their family dynamics may benefit from boarding schools, which are designed to provide more structure and discipline for adolescents.