Out-of-Wedlock Births in New York City. I—Sociologic Aspects

IN RECENT years there has been a steady growth in the number of reported births to unmarried mothers in New York City and nationally. A steady rise has been noted in the United States since 1947, at which time an estimated 131,900 out-of-wedlock births occurred, representing 3.6 per cent of all live births. In 1958, the number increased to 208,700 (5.0 per cent) comprising a 39 per cent increase in the rate. This rising trend has been even sharper in New York City as evidenced by an increase in rate from 3.0 per cent in 1946 to 8.0 per cent in 1959, comprising a 167 per cent increase in the rate. A similar pattern has been noted in other large urban areas where the mounting numbers have served to aggravate the serious health, welfare, and social problems inherent in out-ofwedlock births. In order to determine the reasons for the sharp rise and to deal adequately with the consequences of out-of-wedlock births, all the available data of the New York City Departments of Health, Welfare, and Education relating to these births were reviewed, analyzed, and correlated. Answers to the following questions were sought.