Familial and Generational Patterns of Illegitimacy.

Data on ages at which significant sexual-reproductive events occurred for one generation, and on trends in illegitimate births for three generations are reported from a study of 793 poverty-level (PL) and 239 lower-middle income (LMI) black females ages 15 to 39. The general hypothesis that illegitimacy "runs in families" is supported by data on three generations for both income groups. A strong trend toward increased illegitimacy in each succeeding generation is compounded by a marked increase in illegitimacy among the 15 to 24 year-old females in the current generation (respondents) of both income groups. When increases in illegitimacy by five-year age groupings are compared for the two income groups, it is obvious that if the rapid increase in illegitimacy among the younger LMI females continues it will soon cancel out the present difference in illegitimacy between the two income groups. One interpretation of the findings is that economic improvement will not serve as a deterrent to illegitimacy, unless it is achieved at a far faster pace and to a much higher income level than is generally believed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]