Census Data...

[RandomAnthony]

Hey, the census data is trickling out...some interesting material...here's one on the impact of the recession on income, marriage, and teen employment:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09...

Comments? Anything else interesting coming from census data?

[Phil]

It's the gays. They ruined marriage.

::keeps tongue firmly planted in cheek::

[RandomAnthony]

And the Mexicans.

The gay Mexicans, let's not even talk about them...

[Phil]

Gay liberal unionized Mexicans clamoring for socialist health care.

[Ken]

The ten year period covered in the current census certainly was one that by many economic measures was a comparatively lousy one, though I’m sure economics would never fully explain those sorts of demographic changes. In other words, it must have something to do with the proliferation of reality shows.

[Jim]

Ken wrote: " In other words, it must have something to do with the proliferation of reality shows. "

I think it has more to do with the lack of nude geese on television.

[Rebecca]

I keep hearing about couples who stay married because of economic reasons, when they'd like to split up. I don't know about any objective data on this, but it is true of my cousin, for one, and it does seem to make sense. Being married is cheaper, and increases your chances of getting health benefits.

[Ken]

Jim wrote: "Ken wrote: " In other words, it must have something to do with the proliferation of reality shows. "

I think it has more to do with the lack of nude geese on television."

A scarcity of televised nude geese traditionally discourages relationships, while the dressing of geese in foppish attire contributes to the emasculation of men currently under discussion on another thread.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

:::wonders about the impact of viewing nude geese live and in person on one's inclination to marry, and if Canada Geese are as bad as gay liberal unionized Mexicans...:::

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Well, for what it's worth, I have watched several news reports where interviewees said they were delaying/postponing marriage and/or having babies because of the recession. I don't find it hard to believe at all. A guy at one of Obama's news conferences stood up and announced he wasn't getting married because of the recession. Consider the unemployment numbers - if you suddenly and unexpectedly lose your job, you're going to think twice and thrice about having that baby you assumed you'd be having.

On Rebecca's point, there was a NYT article about people not getting divorced (or delaying divorce indefinitely) for economic reasons, whether it was to hold on to their insurance or whatever. I don't know if they quoted statistics or not. But it's certainly a rational response to a recession.