Single--the new normal
It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that married couples with children constitute a decreasing percentage of American households. This trend has been in place for several decades. The big surprise, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers, is that married couples with children are no longer the most common type of household--they're number two now (22%), followed by married couples without children (21%).
The most common type of American household today is a single adult living alone: no roommates, no relatives, no kids. More than 26% of all American households meet this description. That number is projected to increase to 30% by 2010. The U.S.'s 86 million single adults could soon define the new majority. Already, unmarrieds make up 42% of the workforce, 40% of home buyers, 35% of voters and one of the most potent consumer groups on record.
According to the Institute for American Values, people are hardwired to connect with others. Meeting the basic needs for connection is essential to health and human flourishing. So how does this singleness trend affect our culture and our churches? Singles still need a way to fill their need to connect. The church is an ideal environment for singles to connect with others. As the reality of unmarried America sinks in, churches need to become increasingly friendly to singles.
Sources: BusinessWeek Online
