NCPA


Policy Issues

NCPA Publications

Both Sides

Editorial Opinions

Audio/Visual


NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS
HOME / DONATE / ONE LEVEL UP / ABOUT NCPA / CONTACT US
Women, Children Safer In Marriage Environment
Daily Policy Digest

Social Issues / Marriage & Divorce

Monday, April 15, 2002
Marriage is the only institution that protects mothers and children from domestic abuse, according to a new study from the Heritage Foundation.

  • The report reveals that domestic abuse is twice as high among women who have never married than among those who have.
  • Children of divorced or never-married mothers are six to 30 times more likely to suffer from serious abuse than children raised by both biological parents who are married.
  • Never-married women experience more domestic abuse than those who are married.
  • Children who live with their mother and a boyfriend who is not their father are 33 times more likely to be abused.
The rate of abuse is six times higher in stepfamilies, 14 times higher in the single-mother family and 20 times higher in cohabiting biological-parent families.

Source: Ellen Sorokin, "Marriage Safest Bet to Prevent Abuse, Heritage Data Show," Washington Times, April 15, 2002; based on Patrick F. Fagan and Kirk A. Johnson, "Marriage: The Safest Place for Women and Children," Backgrounder No. 1535, April 10, 2002, Heritage Foundation.

For more on Marriage & Divorce http://www.ncpa.org/iss/soc/
12770 Coit Rd., Suite 800 - Dallas, TX 75251-1339 - 972/386-6272 - Fax 972/386-0924
601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 900 South Building - Washington, DC 20004 - 202/220-3082 - Fax 202/220-3096
Copyright © 2002 National Center for Policy Analysis - All rights reserved.