Search This Blog

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Measure of a Measurement

A New York Times analysis of census results in 2005 claims that 51 percent of women in the US are living without a spouse. This is up from 35 percent in 1950 and 49 percent in 2000.

This is a cargo cult analysis!

If there are always 50% men and 50% women then a study of men should also indicate that 51% of men live without a spouse as well. In a third and seperate study of married people we should find that 49% of the people who respond to the survey are married.

It's probably true that a greater percentage of Americans are not married these days. You can just look around however and add up your married and single friends and family. Then go back to a previous generation. What generation had a higher population of married people. Then go talk to everyone you can about why they think they are single. Talk to the old people about why they stayed married or why the never married. Wouldn't that be more informative?

No comments: