From Chapter 5: The Loneliest Number. Why Singles Over Thirty-five Are Saying Good-bye
“America’s 89.6 million singles head just over half (50.3%) of all American households, according to the 2006 census.” [1]
“About 50 million have never married.” [2]
“51% of American women are living without a spouse.”[3]
“26% of America’s adults are never-married singles…”[4]
15% of single men attend church weekly. [5]
23% of single women attend church weekly. [6]
“Nationally 4 out of 10 adult men are single.”[7]
“People living alone are one of America’s fastest-growing groups.”[8]
“Do churches constantly use…‘family friendly’ to describe themselves, build ‘family life centers’…and fill the typical Sunday bulletin with activities for the family because they wish the intact family were a reality for the majority of Americans?…only 18.5% of all families meet the traditional nuclear family ideal: married, never divorced, with children at home…the statistics indicate they are chasing the wind.” [9]
“…churches pay attention to singles only in terms of how they can serve…volunteer for the mission field, teach Sunday school, fill in at the nursery, and other activities supporting the rearing of Christian youth. They are often expected to attend the priorities of the married, while the married rarely think about – much less act on – the priorities of singles, such as having a place to go for the holidays or being introduced to eligible mates so they can start their own family.” [10]
“Statistically, singles lead the pack in terms of people sliding out the back door of American churches, and many singles never make it to the front door.” [11]
50.3% singles head just over half of all American households, according to the 2006 census. [1]
[4] page 86, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” by Julia Duin.
[5,6] page 86, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
[5,6] Brian Wilcox, “Religion, Family and the General Social Survey,” Religion and Ethics Newsweekly (October 19, 2005)
[7] page 90, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
[8] page 92, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
[9] page 92-93, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
[9] “Faith and Family,” John C. Green, “Faith and Family in America”, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, survey (October 21, 2005),www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week908/index.html.
[10] page 93, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
[11] page 86, “Quitting Church, Why the Faithful are Leaving and What to do About It,” By Julia Duin.
