83 PERCENT IN AFFLUENT HOMES ARE MARRIED

“ ‘Family structure, as a marker and predictor of family stability, makes a difference to the life chances of the next generation,’” [Richard] Reeves [of the Brookings Institution] writes:

“ ‘To the extent that upper middle class Americans are able to form planned, stable, committed families, their children will benefit — and be more likely to retain their childhood class status when they become adults.’

“Using 2013 census data, Reeves finds that 83 percent of affluent heads of household between the ages of 35 and 40 are married, compared with 65 percent in the third and fourth income quintiles and 33 percent in the bottom two.”

Thomas B. Edsall, “How the Other Fifth Lives,” New York Times, April 27, 2016, Op-Ed Page.