• An estimated 5.08 million adult couples were cohabitating in 2004.
  USA Today, 22 July 2005.
• Cohabitating couples have twice the breakup rate of married couples.
  Divorce declining, but so is marriage, Sharon Jayson. USA Today 18 July 2005.
• More than 2/3 of married couples in the US say they lived together before marriage.
  ‘Cohabitation is replacing dating,’ Sharon Jayson, USA Today 18 July 2005.
• More than 237,000 unmarried people in North Carolina live together, as do 4.9 million across the USA, according to the 2000 Census.
  Sex and sensibilities.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• Studies show that children raised by cohabiting parents have more school and emotional problems.
  Sex and sensibilities.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• A 2002 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41% of American women aged 15 to 44 have, at some point, cohabited with a man.
  Sex in the Body of Christ, Lauren F. Winner.  Christianity Today, May 2005.
• According to the 2000 census, the number of unmarried couples living together has increased tenfold between 1960 and 2000, and 72 percent between 1990 and 2000.
  Sex in the Body of Christ, Lauren F. Winner.  Christianity Today, May 2005.

Same-Sex Marriage

• Massachusetts remains the only state in the nation where same-sex marriages are legal. In the past year, more than 6,100 same-sex couples have gotten married—one out of six marriage licenses issued in the state. Connecticut and Vermont have legalized civil unions, giving same-sex couples the same benefits as married couples without marriage.
  Gay-marriage debate still intense a year later, Charisse Jones.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• In Massachusetts, there has been an overwhelming shift in support for gay marriage, with 56% supporting it and 37% opposing it, according to a March 2005 Boston Globe poll. In February 2004, voters opposed same-sex marriage 53% to 35%.
  The sky didn’t fall in Mass, Deb Price.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• Opposition to same-sex marriage reached a historic high in March 2005, reaching 68 percent. These numbers decreased in a April 29-May 1 poll, with 56% opposition and 39% support of same-sex marriage.
  Gay-marriage debate still intense a year later, Charisse Jones.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• In the November 2005 elections, 11 states passed amendments to ban same-sex marriages.
  Sex and sensibilities.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• Since Massachusetts’ legalization of same-sex marriages, 65% to 34% of voters say it has not weakened the institution of marriage. Thirteen percent say gay marriage has had a negative effect on married heterosexuals.
  The sky didn’t fall in Mass, Deb Price.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.
• By 50% to 37%, adults nationwide oppose same-sex marriage.
  The sky didn’t fall in Mass, Deb Price.  USA Today, 17 May 2005.

• Up to 20% of couples now report having sex no more than 10 times a year, qualifying them for what experts call “sexless marriages”
  I Love Them, I Love Him Not, Judith Warner.  The New York Times, 14 February, 2005.
• Four out of every ten adults say their top priority in life is having a satisfying family life. Forty-seven percent of the adults who have been divorced indicated that a fulfilling family life was currently their highest priority. The second-most common life priority, listed by 18 percent of adults, was that of understanding and carrying out the principles of their faith (22% women and 14% men).
  What is A Purpose-Driven Life to Americans?  The Barna Group, 17 May 2005.

Extra-Marital Affairs

• Those who are promiscuous before marriage may be more likely to cheat on their spouses once married.
  Sex in the Body of Christ, Lauren F. Winner.  Christianity Today, May 2005.

Single Parent Households

• In 2004, 1.5 million babies were born to unwed mothers.
  Sharon Jayson, USA Today 2005.

Single Adults

• A 1990s survey of single Christians showed that approximately one-third of respondents were virgins.
  Sex in the Body of Christ, Lauren F. Winner.  Christianity Today, May 2005.

• Half of Americans 45 or older say they are somewhat religious; 20% cite their most satisfying spiritual experience is prayer, 19% say living a good life, 19% say helping others, 13% say being with family, and 10% say attending religious services.
  Prayer most pleasing, USA Today Snapshots.  10 January, 2005.
• Almost half of churchgoers want to hear more scriptural teachings on sex (44%). Forty-four percent say they are satisfied with the frequency of sermons addressing sex.
  More Sex, Please.  Christianity Today International, Winter 2005.
• Fifty-six percent of adults attend church services in a typical month.
  More People Use Christian Media Than Attend Church.  The Barna Update, 14 March 2005.