Louisiana is number one, when it comes to births to non-married mothers.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 48.7% of all births in Louisiana were to non-married mothers.

LSU sociology professor Troy Blanchard says it could be a few reasons:

  • National de-coupling of child birth from marriage
  • Women now having children much younger
  • Louisiana women possibly delaying  marriage until they meet the right partner
  • Women might feel they can get by without getting married
  • Society has grown less critical of unwed mothers than in the past

The city of Monroe is a hotbed for single moms: 62.5% of all births in 2011 were by non-married women.

More From News Radio 710 KEEL