Our society has long championed the idea of two-parent families, but recent discussions have intensified, particularly with the release of provocative books like *Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization* and *The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind*. These works reflect a conservative push for increased birth rates and traditional family structures, with some even advocating for the controversial notion of abolishing no-fault divorce.
In this context, sociologist Christina Cross’s enlightening new book, *Inherited Inequality: Why Opportunity Gaps Persist Between Black and White Youth Raised in Two-Parent Families*, challenges the prevailing narratives surrounding family structure and racial inequality. Cross focuses on the often-overlooked experiences of children raised in two-parent Black families, a demographic that has been largely absent from the conversation dominated by discussions of single-parent households.
The conventional wisdom, shaped by the Moynihan Report in 1965 and subsequent welfare reform policies, posits that if Black families could simply marry and remain intact, racial disparities would largely dissolve. However, Cross’s research reveals a more complex reality: Black children raised in two-parent households still face significant challenges compared to their white counterparts. In fact, their outcomes mirror those of white children from single-parent families.
The statistics are eye-opening. Black children in two-parent homes are two to four times more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than white children with similar family structures. When it comes to pursuing higher education, a staggering 25-point gap exists in college enrollment rates between Black and white students from two-parent families. Moreover, by their mid-20s, Black young adults from these families are three times more likely to experience unemployment than white young adults.
Despite comprising half of all Black children in America, two-parent Black families have received scant attention from researchers. Between 2012 and 2022, only two out of 163 studies published in leading journals examined their outcomes. In a recent discussion, Cross and senior correspondent Rachel Cohen Booth illuminated the hidden costs of America’s marriage promotion spending, the research gaps that perpetuate myths about Black families, and the inescapable influence of structural racism, even within two-parent households.
Cross argues that the narrow focus on promoting marriage as a solution to racial inequality limits our understanding of the root causes of these disparities. While she acknowledges some advantages for Black children in two-parent families, she emphasizes that simply encouraging marriage is insufficient to address the systemic issues at play. “Even amongst Black and white children in two-parent families, inequality is very high,” she asserts.
The costs of prioritizing two-parent families are multifaceted. By concentrating solely on this family structure, we miss opportunities to explore alternative strategies that could yield better results. Alarmingly, the federal government currently invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually in promoting marriage through programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which emphasizes marriage as a fundamental goal. As funding for essential safety net programs faces cuts, Cross questions whether these resources could be more effectively allocated to direct cash assistance, childcare subsidies, or educational support—initiatives that would more directly benefit families.
Cross’s research critiques the Family Resource Perspective, which suggests that having more parents in a household leads to better outcomes due to increased resources. She highlights that these resources are not evenly distributed. For instance, Black two-parent families earn only about 60 percent of the income of their white counterparts and possess a mere 25 percent of their wealth. Without equitable resources, expecting equal outcomes is unrealistic.
The discussion extends beyond family structure; it also encompasses the experiences of children in affluent, divorced families. Cross notes that while the average two-parent family may have more resources than a single-parent family, the nuances of individual circumstances—including income levels and additional supportive adults—must be considered. Research suggests that children raised in high-income single-parent households or those with supportive non-biological adults may fare just as well, if not better, than those in troubled two-parent families.
Interestingly, Cross observes that the prevalence of Black two-parent families has increased by 15 percent over the past decade, while single-mother families have declined by a similar margin. This trend challenges the narrative that Black two-parent families are rare and prompts further inquiry into the driving factors behind this positive shift.
Despite the growing body of evidence, Cross found only two articles in major family studies journals that examined Black youth in two-parent families between 2012 and 2022. This lack of research underscores the need for a more thorough investigation into the dynamics of these family structures and their impact on addressing racial inequality.
In light of her findings, Cross advocates for a dual approach to addressing the challenges facing Black families. Culturally, there is a need to reshape narratives that unfairly attribute racial disparities to family structure. Structurally, the government must recognize the importance of equitable resource distribution and avoid the pitfalls of policies that reinforce existing inequalities. The recent expansion of the Child Tax Credit serves as a promising example of a policy that can make a significant difference in alleviating poverty among children.
As the conversation surrounding family structure and racial inequality evolves, it is crucial to move beyond simplistic solutions and acknowledge the nuanced realities of all family forms. By broadening our understanding and focusing on resource equity, we can work towards genuine progress in addressing the systemic barriers that persist for Black families and children.
