Babies and Our Future are at Risk

One in three babies in Ohio is born outside of marriage. They are more likely to be poor and disadvantaged.

Rate of divorce remains flat, but break-up rate of co-habitating relationships is higher.

Despite low marriage and high divorce rates, the majority of young adults want to marry.

The percentage of African-American children growing up in 2 parent households was 95% in 1940. Today it is less than 35%.

When parents get married and stay married, children win. Research shows that children from two-parent families get a better start in life. But every parent knows that marriage isn't always easy.

Luckily, there's a community of support nearby. Funded by the Ohio Strengthening Families Initiative, Southwest Ohio Building Strong Families and Children is a coalition of 13 community agencies in the Greater Cincinnati area, led by Beech Acres Parenting Center. Member agencies provide parents with positive, practical tools to build stronger families and give our children a great start in life.