Out-of-wedlock births hit high

Marriages in Kenosha County reach new low; divorces on rise

BY CORRINNE HESS KENOSHA NEWS

   Children born to unwed mothers in Kenosha County last year reached an all-time high while the total number of births in the county continues to decrease.
   According to a report released by the State Department of Health and Family Services, there were 753 out-of-wedlock births last year in the county, marking the second year in a row that the number of children born to unwed mothers increased.
   Of those, 63 children were born to women under 18 years old.
   In 2003, there were 721 out-of-wedlock births, up about 5 percent from 2002 when there were 687.
   Those instances, however, do not distinguish between single parents or mothers who are in long-term relationships.
   Meanwhile, in Racine County, out-of-wedlock births have dropped over the past two years. In 2004, 960 children were born to unwed mothers, down from 981 in 2003 and 988 in 2002.
   Gary Brown, executive director of Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc., said the statistics are just one indicator of how things are going in the community for children and families.
   “Generally, the outcomes for these children aren’t as good,” Brown said. “That doesn’t mean a single parent can’t be a great parent, but overall it tends to work out better when there are two parents there for the children.”
   Marriages in Kenosha County have also reached a new low. Last year there were 771, down about 40 from 2003.
   Over the past 12 years, Kenosha County had the most marriages in 1993 when 1,002 couples wed.
   On the flip side, divorces are on the rise. Last year there were 578 divorces in the county, compared to 555 in 2003.
   In 2004 the number of out-ofwedlock births and marriages in Kenosha County were almost equal, an alarming statistic, Brown said.
   “If the number of marriages keeps going down, we could have more out-of-wedlock births than marriages in 2005,” he said.
   Brown said there are numerous services available to families at risk of child abuse and neglect.
   He added that a very high percentage of children involved in the child welfare system come from single-parent homes.
   Brown said another problem with this rising statistic is the effect is has on the school system because a high number of children with behavioral problems also come from single-parent homes.
   “I think everyone in the community would like to see this statistic headed in a different direction,” Brown said. “Here we are in 2004, and we are looking at the highest number of out-of-wedlock births ever.
   “I think you could find a consensus that this is not what we want for the community.”