Plans for Improved Statistics on Family Formation and Dissolution in the United States

Abstract

Beginning with 1960, samples of the marriage and divorce statistical records will be obtained from the States and tabulated by NOVS. Also, in 1960, a county sample of records will be obtainedfrom local officials to aid in preparing national data. This replaces the former system of obtaining tables from State offices for consolidation into national totals. IT IS scarcely necessary to urge the importance of periodic statistics concerning families; it is a truism that the family is of crucial importance in the study of social change and analysis of basic social processes. In addition to the statistics of families derived from Decennial Censuses and from special surveys, it is impossible to see the full picture of what is happening to American families, without the aid of current statistics relating to the formation and dissolution of families. The rate of marriage, for example, fluctuates dramatically since it is sensitive to a variety of influences. It is a familiar fact that age at marriage is changing. It is also true that the rate of dissolution of families by divorce is subject to modification because of changing conditions. It is significant that our highest marriage and divorce rates were recorded immediately following the close of World War II in the year 1946. Ideally, there would be available current data on all aspects of family formation and dissolution including common-law marriages, separations, and desertions but the preparation of statistics of these events would be difficult. In view of the deficiencies of current marriage and divorce statistics, it seems wise to concentrate first upon improving these series. STATISTICS ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE NOW AVAILABLE In addition to the statistical reports issued by various States and local areas, national statistics of marriages and divorces are the responsibility of the National Office of Vital Statistics, PHS, U.S.DHEW. Provisional data are published monthly, and detailed tables annually. During the past decade, through a cooperative program, detailed tables have been prepared to Federal specifications by States and independent registration areas. Several States have prepared all tables, but some of them prepared none, while others prepared only a few tables. This program has steadily improved both in coverage and in reliability, and the reports for 1958 will be the best in 25 years. However, these data for recent years have three major defects: 1. Lack of national coverage. Estimates must be prepared for certain areas. 2. Inconsistent coverage. Detailed statistics are for varying groups of States: consequently, national trends may be obscured by regional differences. 3. Inadequate detailed tabulations. The users need a great deal more of comprehensive analytical tubulations than can be provided. These should include more cross-tabulations by such demographic variables as occupation, color, and location of residence. STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE DATA Several steps have been taken to improve statistics of marriage and divorce: Reporting areas for these events have been established. The criteria for a State to participate in these areas were set up by the responsible State officials. These are: 1. The participating State has a modern State file of the statistical records of marriages, or divorces. Most States now have central files-41 States for marriages and 35 for divorces. (See Maps 1 and 2.) * Paper presented before Section K, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Chicago, Illinois, December 29, 1959. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.27 on Sat, 26 Nov 2016 04:07:56 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms