Summary: Despite being professional, educated, and self-reliant, many black women over the age of thirty remain single. This article delves into the statistics, societal factors, and personal experiences that contribute to this phenomenon. It also highlights the novel "Won’t Be Denied," which portrays the life of an obsessed, single African American woman.
In today's society, a significant number of black women over the age of thirty remain single. According to the 2000 Census Bureau, 2,219,489 women between the ages of 30 and 34 have never married. Among these, a staggering 60% are black women. By the age of 30, only 45% of black women have married, compared to 80% of white women (Census Bureau, 2000).
The disparity in marriage rates between black and white women has led to various hypotheses. Social psychologist Larry Davis, in his article "The State of Our Union: Black Love and Marriage, 2004" on Africana.com, attributes this to social factors such as black male imprisonment and interracial relationships. Davis suggests that these factors result in black women outnumbering black men 2 to 1. However, therapist and radio personality Audrey B. Chapman argues that the ratio is closer to 4 to 1 or even 6 to 1.
Lana Coleman, an attorney from Pasadena, California, shared her experience in the 2003 Newsweek article "Black Gender Gap." She believed that her education and financial success would make it easier to find a partner. However, she found the opposite to be true. Coleman's experience is reflective of many self-reliant and professional black women.
The chances of a black woman finding a single, 33-39-year-old, heterosexual, college-educated, successful African American male in a 1% population is about 0.16%. This 1% includes men in cities and their surrounding suburbs with large urban populations, such as Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York, Oakland, and Detroit.
Essence magazine’s advice columnist, Gwen Grant, suggested in the Savannah Morning News in 2002 that educated black women should consider dating outside their race to expand their options. Without doing so, they may continue to face limited choices.
One of the most striking statistics is that only 22% of an African American woman’s life span will be spent in marriage (Savannah Morning News, 2002).
"Wont Be Denied" is a 227-page suspense novel that provides a glimpse into the life of an obsessed, single African American woman. Written by C.F. Jackson, a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a BS degree in Criminal Justice, the novel is set in Atlanta, Georgia. The story revolves around Maré, who values love more than life itself. The character-driven plot is a page-turner and offers an easy, suspenseful read.
For more information or to purchase "Won’t Be Denied" (ISBN 0-9762230-0-7), contact the publisher, Organized Thoughts Publishing, at Post Office Box 920622, Norcross, GA 30010, or visit www.cfjackson.us. Bookstores and libraries in the U.S. can order the novel through the Baker & Taylor database. The book is set to be released on November 9, 2004.
The phenomenon of single, professional, educated, and self-reliant black women is complex and multifaceted. Societal factors, personal experiences, and statistical odds all play a role. Expanding dating options and understanding these dynamics can help address the challenges faced by these women.
By understanding these statistics and the societal factors at play, we can better appreciate the challenges faced by single, professional, educated, and self-reliant black women.
