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Cljarlotte THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1996 9A LIFESTYLES Local Marriages made later in life, study says WASHINGTON - Americans are tying the knot later in life than ever before. The typical age for a first marriage has climbed to 26.7 years for men and 24.5 for women, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday. At the same time, people are showing less patience with problem marriages as growing numbers imravel the bond with divorce, according to the Census report, “Marital Status and Living Arrangements: March 1994." In 1890, when age at mar riage was first collected, the median age to get hitched was 26.1 for men and 22.0 for women. The marriage age declined slowly for 66 years, then started to climb toward the current record level, said Arlene Saluter, the study's author. In years past, there was some kind of a magic date by which people had to be mar ried, observed Stephanie Kenitzer of Odenton, Md., who said her own marriage at age 27 “just kind of hap pened when it happened." “People aren't sa5nng, T'm 20 or I'm 25, so I'm an old maid,' she said. “It's no longer looked upon as a nega tive that you're not married at a certain age." “They're more free to make decision on their own and so people are waiting longer. I waited longer ... There was no pressure." In a recent study by the independent Population Reference Bureau, researcher Carol J. De Vita noted that “young adults are delaying entrance into marriage, although very few will forego it altogether." This declined gradually over the years, bottoming at 22.5 for men and 20.1 for women in 1956, before begin ning to rise again as young people increasingly pursued college and careers instead of each other. Median indicates that half were married by that age and half married later. Increasing educational and employment opportunities for women have contributed to their postponing marriage, De Vita said. For men, she added, stagnating wages in the 1970s and 1980s made marriage less affordable. Of course, postponing mar riage means an increase in the number of people who have never wed, and that is reflected in the Census study. From 1970 to 1994 the number of Americans aged 18 and over who had never mar ried leaped from 21.4 million, or 16 percent, to 44.2 million, or 23 percent. While they are slower to tie the knot, Americans are proving faster to unravel i t. From 1970 to 1994 the num ber currently divorced climbed from 4.3 million, or 3 percent of the adult popula tion, to 17.4 million, or 9 per cent. “The high levels of divorce and remarriage in the United States today suggest that Americans may be placing a high value on forming suc cessful marriages and may be less tolerant of marital prob lems than were earlier gener ations," says De Vita. The increasing economic independence of women today helps ease the financial pressure to remain in an unsatisfactory marriage, she added. The People's Biographer By Tammie Tolbert THE CHARLOTTE POST A n African proverb states, "When the elderly pass on, an entire library passes with them." "As African Americans we usually don't write our history down, we often rely on giving oral presenta tions of our family history to our children," says Jackson F. Bullock, author of “The People's Biographer.” In trying to promote his book, Bullock found that people rely heavily on oral presenation of their family history, which is why he decided to develop “The People's Biography.” "I believe that everyone has a story to tell about their lives and I think that people, especially African American people, should record their history," Bullock said. Bullock explained that he had planned on recording and writ ing down the facts about his grandmother and his grandfa ther, who was then 97 years old. But he was so busy with going to college and trying to get a job that time escaped him and both of his grandparents died. "I regret not having taken the time to record my grandparents history," Bullock said. In 1992 at a family reunion, Bullock and his aunt collaborated about the idea of writing a bibliography workbook for the ordi nary person to record their history. "I reasoned that this book would help to educate and strengthen future generations so they would not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors." Bullock said. According to Bullock, when parents spout of words of wisdom, it has less of an effect on young adults as opposed to merely sharing the facts of their lives, their obstacles and their triumphs. Bullock See BIOGRAPHER page 10A Hot shots: Women's basketball The Museum of the New South is celebrating the contribution of women in basketball by having exhibits on display in the museum. Women's basketball in the Piedmont Carolinas has an extensive history. The Museum will use photos, memorabilia and videos to allow visitors to explore the dynamic achievements that women have made in basketball from the late 1800s to the present. The exhibit will last through Aug. 11. The show was scheduled to coincide with the NCAA Women's Final Four. A female fan looks views the exhibit celebrating women’s hoop dreams appearing at The Museum of the New South. PHOTO/PAUL WILLIAMS, III Horoscopes /VIUKS: (March 21-April 201 You both look .in.l ii,.'l good. \nHr high om-i gy and upbeat alliluilo is c.iiching on wi& others. Take advantage of your appeal to make gains in your personal and profeS' improve relationships. . TADKUS:CA|wil21-May 21) Make it a point of accom- unplfeasajd: nitto j i:lB|iS‘Ke (3e^:;iM oft®.'": time to spend with family and CANCER: (June 22 - July 22) You might fall in love, so takeextra care with who you .. shower your;affections on.. It'a : time .tecansult a financial ;plaBner:on.any longterm; sm^limehfe ybu'ye: heen con~:: ;^ipi^::Yp®in^tibn abenf;' t®®t: ,■ i^lfcdrjtieisni; j;:., . : There; w^^ ; :|)owet for you: A ceitainv■ Latoountnf stress Will no doubt :acconipaByyour:busyached?;:. liilejlaahihg out atfkiaiiy' fitnembers will get yon;;"; ; nowhere,: ■, GEMINI: (May 22-June :;|ll|t;®niance is In the air, and , IJgO:Jnly 24- August 2.3) entire month, will be :£i:;'®ite busy for yon^ . ■femeh®;® worki'YmareU': j; .closer and closer to ;personal and;career goals, so ; remember those who have .helpedyou achieve what you : want: Be ;;: support-; . ive . . of family members, especially : children. VIRGO: {August 24- Septenuber 23)Help out ilvljerbfef ^n'cahvthis week,' Vhnt; Mfeeinn:®tum!d any. ijldE^pnlat^Sj all,those efforts I liSSouid;®’:®a woi^ ..£. aeaus&'There;!^®' be an exird'.;;;' icash flow just in time for o'yveekend kin you have: . ;piann®r'fejoy dhy hf^ ; 'from. y®,r usual rotitiue and have fun. LIBRA: (September 24 - October 23)You are ready to ; ' cOnguer ahdtestaclea in.your .; ;; wayyust make sure not to ' P hurt ' ahyone; You're likely to ' ., find Hhdred spiri.ts to further .: ;; career:;hhd social .plana. Major .' home repairs may be very nec- . . essaryLit isn't such a bad idea ..to spend: eeme time alone. ; SCORPIO:(October 24 - November 22) This week will both begin and end on a high note. You are in tune with your sweetheart and every-, thing seems to be running smoothly; You can move closer to your goals, with a possible new business partnership in the offing. S®o that new con tract. SAGirrARlUS: (November 23 - December be alone with your thoughts. :.;ifs;n®®l::iwe:lo:lr®eL®f£ unpleasant financaal .surprises.: . by going over bsmk statements :; ;.. fbnahydiidrppa^SiiR®;; CAPRICORN:{December 22 - January 20) A friend . dialleh®s yoh®bfeak;dut of . : yoim shettand rfr.omotB:yeur-j:.' seif for advancement. You've "nofblng'mfeejahd, willbe ' hapl®r ": ;:spe®wr&s®!e®e,efhsd^ .' ; mkfcg: yjK:;yWdiis' .; ■ .filled with dreamers and:': .: " ;:doefs, be.a.'dd®;;;;; AQUARIUS: (January 21 - February 19) Very promi nent people will want your opinion, so be very careful how you word any responses; - It is hard to avoid confronta tion with those around you, so . it's better to remain silent than drawn into unnecessary; . argmnents. Someone close .; . may turn on you,. PISCES: (February 20 - March 20) Career advance-. ment is elfortless, se pursue your cherished goals. Co- • viforkefs' ideas. Keep your cool in family situations which may he get ting out of hand. There may be a difference of opinion, causing distance between you ;and.som«o®.'de®'® ; fair,. IF THIS WEEK IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Let the leesons ofyour.paM eicpenSSs guide you to any practical applications of your ideas for the future. It's time to review your job, relation ships and financial com mitments, to see how they match up with your future life goals. Make plans to change whatever isn't work ing.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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March 14, 1996, edition 1
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