The State of Hamilton County's Family Overview
- Nearly one-half of residents (51%) claim either family, marriage or children as their greatest priority.
- The majority of Hamilton County residents surveyed (95%) agree that family is the main building block of a healthy community.
- More than half of residents (65%) believe that the stability of American society will collapse if the traditional family unit falls apart.
- 88% of survey responders disagreed with the statement, “Marriage is an old-fashioned, outmoded institution.”
Marriage
- More than two-thirds (78%) of Hamilton County adults said marriage should be considered a promise “til death do us part.” And 20% said marriage should be considered a promise “as long as love shall last.”
- More than 4 out of every 5 people (83%) say that a couple unhappy in their marriage should "remain together and work to re-establish the love they once felt," while only 13% said that the same unhappy couple should "get a divorce."
- 32 percent of Hamilton County adults have experienced divorce.
- A majority (53%) of those currently divorced wish they and their ex-spouse had tried harder to work through their differences.
- More than one in four (29%) of Hamilton County adults say they have lived with someone outside of marriage at some point.
- There has been a dramatic increase in those who strongly believe every couple who wants to get married should be required to complete some type of marriage education before getting married (growing from 48% to 68% in ten years).
Fathering
- 90% of Hamilton County residents believe fathers in Chattanooga should be more involved in their children’s lives.
- Residents maintained their strong feelings that a positive male role model is important in the emotional development of a child (93% total agreement).
- 56% of those surveyed agreed that fathers should take a week off of work when a child is born.
Out-of-wedlock pregnancies
- 44% of Hamilton County youth admit to having sexual intercourse.
- Overall, 79% of parents agree that schools should teach young people that sex is only appropriate in marriage.
- 49% of Hamilton County residents believe there is nothing wrong with a woman giving birth to a child even though she is not married.
