Family Composition:
LeTourneau University vs. Kilgore College
A Study Performed by: GLAADS
Amy Arthur
Dawn Graham
Laurel Stoltzfus
GLAADS 2
Table of Contents:
Abstract…………………………………………………………….. 3
Introduction………………………………………………………… 4
Literature Review 1…………………………………………………5
Literature Review 2…………………………………………………6
Literature Review 3…………………………………………………7
Literature Review 4…………………………………………………8
Graphical Analysis…………………………………………………. 10
Background on Individuals’ Surveyed……………………... 11
Parent’s Marital Status…………………………………….. 12
Conclusion…………………………………………………………. 17
References………………………………………………………….. 18
Surveys……………………………………………………………... 19
GLAADS 3
Abstract:
This study describes the family composition of students in both Kilgore College
and LeTourneau University. On the basis of a random sampling of students at both
schools, an attempt will be made to determine if the composition of students’ families
differ between a state institution and a private institution. The survey results will be
further broken down into individual characteristics of each school, as well as how both
compare to national records. Essentially, family composition is determined by the
marital status of the students’ parents.
Results of comparing Kilgore and LeTourneau surveys are predicted to show
Kilgore with higher rate of broken homes. Survey results of Kilgore versus national
records are predicted to demonstrate a high positive correlation, while LeTourneau is
predicted to have lower divorce rates than on the national scale. LeTourneau is also
predicted to have a higher marriage rate than Kilgore. This is hypothesized because of
the increased Christian influence in lifestyle at LeTourneau.
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Introduction:
Over the past thirty years, the families in the United States have been decreasing
in size and divorce rates have been steadily increasing. The purpose of this study is to
analyze the differences in family composition between state and private institutions of
higher learning.
Results that are found will hopefully distinguish between a private school’s
standards and a secular school’s standards (i.e. Christian households versus non-Christian
households). Specifically, LeTourneau University and Kilgore College are examined. In
addition to comparison with each other, these results are also compared individually to
national averages.
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Literature Review 1:
The United States Department of Commerce News issued a report on the changes
in family composition. They studied the years of 1970 in comparison to 1995. The
methodology for this study was to use the United States Census Bureau’s census results
from these 2 different years in order to examine any trends of how household
compositions have changed over the past 25 years.
The “survey information” used was the actual census information gathered from
the entire United States in 1970 and in 1995. Various categories were formed and data
was then arranged into the categories. For example, the number (and percentages) of
households with married couples were examined. Also, the average number of people
per household is given. Then more of the households were broken down into those with
just one individual, those run by a female with no male present, those run by a male with
no female present, those residing in metropolitan areas, and those with children living at
home. A household includes an individual or a group of people in a home, and a family
includes a group of two or more people, joined by some link such as birth, marriage, or
adoption.
The findings of this report will be very helpful in analyzing the similarities and
differences between the percentages in the whole United States to those at LeTourneau
University and Kilgore College. The findings revealed a very significant decline in the
number of married couples that make up a household. In 1970, married couples with
children made up 40 percent of the households in the United States, whereas now, they
only make up 25% of households. This result and the others results all revealed the same
kind of trend of a decrease in family unity. More people are living alone, and more
children are being raised by just one parent.
Source: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb96-195.html
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Literature Review 2:
The United States Census Bureau performed a study regarding the types of family
and non-family compositions. This study compared the years of 1970, 1980, 1990, and
2000. The composition of families was examined in a number of ways. For example, the
households were divided into family households, including married couples with or
without their own children and an “other” category, and non-family households,
including women or men living alone and an “other” category. This particular
information was shown in bar graph form. Other similar comparisons were done in the
form of charts, instead of as graphs. Breakdowns of the average number of people per
household, the income of the families, the location of their home, the age of the children
living at home, the race of the family, the education of the family members, as well as the
labor status of the individuals in the family.
This data was collected and organized by the United States Census Bureau. They
took the information from the current population surveys from the March supplements of
1970 to 2000. The different periods of time were studied in order to reveal the changes in
family composition as well as the moral and social changes over time.
The findings revealed that more and more people are living alone than ever before
and less people are living as married couples with or without children. Family
households still make up the majority of the United States population; however, the
number of non-family entities is steadily increasing. Also, the size of families in the
United States appears to be decreasing, with less having more than 5 people in their
household. The percentages of never being married and the percentages of being
divorced have both been increasing over the last thirty years, while the number of
married individuals is decreasing.
Source: http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p20-537.pdf
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Literature Review 3:
In the article, “Marriage in Pre-Industrial Warsaw in Light of Demographic
Studies”, author Cezary Kuklo examines the marriages contracted in one of the largest
parishes in pre-industrial Warsaw, Poland. This study is an effort to establish the
proportion of those with a completely unmarried status, the social and territorial origin of
the newlyweds, how old they were, the length of marriages and widowhoods, the time
when the marriages took place, and their frequency.
The data was collected from eighteenth-century parish registers, taxation
documents, law court documents, and population censuses, with the most reliable source
being the register of marriages. The research was coordinated and modernized by
utilizing computer technology to set up analyses of the data obtained.
The data area was limited to Warsaw, Poland and even more specifically, the
Holy Cross parish. This extensive study on Warsaw families covered nearly 80 percent
of the registered parishioners or nearly 2,000 families and focused on the pre-industrial
time period.
The results of Kuklo’s studies are presented in written summary form referring to
relating tables placed at the end of the article. Further notes and explanations
complement each table.
Kuklo did not confine his study to merely presenting only statistical results, but
also attempted to discover factors that would explain the findings. He found that the
beginning of family planning, motives stemming from human nature, religious motives,
and changes in attitudes and collective behavior were a few of those such factors.
Source: EBSCO Host search; Journal of Family History
GLAADS 8
Literature Review 4:
The article, “Forty-three Percent of First Marriages Break Up Within Fifteen Years”,
discusses the results from the data collected from the National Survey of Family Growth from
1995. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) consistently persists in their statistical
research. They use multiple methods to complete their studies, including compiled research in
cognition and survey measurements.
This survey about the divorce rates in the United States was given to 10,847 women
within the age of fifteen to forty-four years of age. Cognitive methods were applied and a
questionnaire design research program was used to find the best possible survey they could
develop. Some other ways in which they acquired information was through analytic methods
that can be used in NCHS’s systems to analyze results (i.e. on their company’s software),
through the use of statistical graphs to compare the data collected, and a survey design program
to assure that the survey given is designed well and will be effective (using sample plans).
In conclusion to their research, the data revealed that forty-three percent of first marriages
end within fifteen years. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
found that one in three first marriages end within ten years and one in five marriages end within
five years.
The study also revealed that the age when women get married, along with their
nationality, significantly affects the length of a marriage. The older the woman is when she gets
married, the more likely the marriage will last. They discovered that fifty-nine percent of
marriages to brides who are younger than eighteen end within fifteen years, whereas, only thirtysix percent of those women who get married after they are twenty. White, non-Hispanic women
have the highest percentage of getting divorced (ninety-seven percent), then Hispanic women
GLAADS 9
(seventy-seven percent), and, finally, non-Hispanic black women (sixty-seven percent). These
statistics “offer an important glimpse into the social fabric of this country,” says Dr. Edward
Sondik, director of CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/releases/01news/firstmarr.htm
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Graphical Analysis:
Surveys were distributed to a random sampling of fifty students at both Kilgore College
and LeTourneau University. Upon receiving the survey, each individual was given verbal
explanation of the contents and goals of the survey. The purpose of the survey was to determine
if the family composition differed between students at a state institution and students at a private
institution, as well as how the results compared with national numbers as compiled by the U.S.
Census Bureau.
Divorce has become a common everyday occurrence over the last decade. The
commitment of marriage is not taken as seriously as it once was. The idea of spending the rest of
one’s life with only one person has become an old fashioned concept. Today many people go
into marriage viewing divorce and remarriage as viable options.
As Christians, there is a call to a higher standard and to be set apart from this world.
However, the pull of society is difficult to resist, and the trap of conjecturing that “everybody’s
doing it, so it must be okay” is easy to fall into. This is evident within Christian circles more and
more. The goal of this paper is to provide accurate and worthwhile information on whether or
not the marital standards of a Christian university are actually higher than those of a state
institution, and even that of the nation’s marital standards.
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Background on Individuals’ Surveyed
As shown in Chart 1.1, the ethnicity of the students surveyed is sixty-nine percent
Caucasian, followed by African Americans with twenty-two percent. Also, there are 3 percent
Hispanic and then 6 percent not in one of those three categories. The student’s age at the time of
the survey ranged from 17 to 34 (shown in Chart 1.2), with the majority between the ages of 18
and 21. Three students did not specify their age on the survey.
Chart 1.1 Ethnic Background
6%
3%
22%
African American
Caucasian
Hispanic
Other
69%
Chart 1.2 Student's Present Age
17
18
19
Age
20
21
22
23
28
34
Not specified
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Number of Occurances
16
18
20
22
24
GLAADS 12
Parent’s Marital Status
The combined survey results from both students at Kilgore College and LeTourneau
University is illustrated in Chart 2.1. Sixty-seven percent of the total students surveyed agreed
that their parents were currently married, while twenty-four percent stated that their parents were
divorced. Another three percent stated that their parents were separated, four percent marked
that one or more of their parents were deceased, and two percent classified their parents’ marital
status as other.
Chart 2.1 Marital Status
Survey Results
4% 2%
Married
Separated
Divorced
Deceased
Other
24%
3%
67%
Chart 2.2 (below) shows the marital status averages for the nation1. Surprisingly,
national records reveal a higher marriage rate of seventy-four percent as well as a lower divorce
rate of nine percent. The percentages of separations are quite similar, differing by only one
percentage point. The category for a deceased parent for all people surveyed was consistently
four percent. It should be probable that parents of students at private/Christian institution would
have a higher marriage rate than those parents of students at secular universities. People’s
GLAADS 13
backgrounds and beliefs influence their lives (i.e. their marriage, children’s choice of college,
etc.).
In our society today, the divorce rate is increasing more every year. Adults are not taking
marriage as seriously as they have in years past, but they believe that marriage will not be a onetime commitment or last for a lifetime. This mindset allows for an increase in people choosing
the option of divorce and remarriage. Christians should still have the attitude that when they get
married, they will stay committed to their spouse. Many Christians today still reflect these
values in their marriages and this is evidenced in the marital status of parents of LeTourneau
University’s students.
Chart 2.2 Marital Status
National Averages1
9%
4%
Married
9%
Separated
Divorced
4%
Deceased
Other
74%
1
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
GLAADS 14
Chart 2.3 compares the parents’ marital status of students at Kilgore College with those at
LeTourneau University. The results, as reflected in Chart 2.3, reveal a higher rate of parents
remaining married at LeTourneau than Kilgore. This favors the expectation of higher moral
standards at a Christian university. The number of parents separated is higher at Kilgore but not
significantly. However, the number of parents divorced at Kilgore is notably higher than the
number at LeTourneau. Again, this is predicted to be the result of Christian standards regarding
divorce and marriage. The divorce rate at Kilgore (34%) is actually more than double that of
LeTourneau (14%). The number of students with one or more deceased parent was not
considerably different between the two institutions, nor was the category of other.
Chart 2.3 Marital Status
Kilgore vs. LeTourneau
45
40
Number of Occurances
35
30
25
Kilgore
20
LeTourneau
15
10
5
0
Married
Separated
Divorced
Marital Status
Deceased
Other
GLAADS 15
The graphically combined results of the survey and the national standards1 are shown
below in Chart 2.4. These results disclose that the percentages of married couples are higher
than any other category for Kilgore, LeTourneau, and on the national level. LeTourneau was the
highest of the three, as hypothesized, followed by the national level and then Kilgore. The
reason for the higher percentage at LeTourneau may be due to a combination of variables. First
and foremost, the Christian values of LeTourneau University affect the family composition and
the level of commitment. Secondly, considering the cost of a private education, there is a higher
likelihood that a two parent-household would have the funding to send their children to a private
Chart 2.4 Marital Status
Survey Results vs. National Averages1
90%
80%
Percentages of Total Surveyed
70%
60%
50%
National
40%
LeTourneau
Kilgore
30%
20%
10%
0%
Married
Separated
Divorced
Marital Categories
1
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Deceased
Other
GLAADS 16
institution like LeTourneau. Considering the influence of Christian values at LeTourneau, the
fact that Kilgore and the national level are more similar is expected because they would both
parallel the values and moral standards of the world.
The other results shown in Chart 2.4, demonstrate interesting outcomes. The percentage
of parents separated does not vary too drastically. As expected, LeTourneau is the lowest.
Surprisingly, the divorce rate is the lowest on the national level. LeTourneau is not quite double
the national standard, but Kilgore skyrockets above it by more than four times.
The high divorce rate at LeTourneau was an unexpected end result. Possible reasons are
that LeTourneau students, although held to Christian standards, are not responsible for their
parents' choices. Just because the child attends a Christian institution, does not denote that their
parent(s) share their Christian values or accept their Christian views. Another possible reason
for the higher divorce rate could be that the sample taken was not truly random; although,
measures were taken to make it as random as possible.
Impressively, the ratio in the category of deceased is almost exactly the same for all three
sources. This was anticipated because having a deceased parent is not under one's control.
Therefore, this category, as proven in Chart 2.4, should and is the same for each one of the three
sources. The other category, which may include individuals whose parents never married and/or
are living together, was notably, but not significantly, larger on the national level than at Kilgore
or LeTourneau.
GLAADS 17
Conclusion:
By surveying Kilgore College and LeTourneau University, a variety of results were
obtained; some were projected, while others were unexpected. As hypothesized, the rate of
broken homes was higher at Kilgore than at LeTourneau by more than twice the rate. The
conclusion was reached that the families of students attending LeTourneau live according to
higher moral standards as assumed by the characteristics of a Christian university.
Surprisingly, the predictions for Kilgore and LeTourneau, as compared to national
standards, in regards to the divorce rate, were incorrect. There was no high positive correlation
between Kilgore and national records; in actuality, Kilgore’s divorce rate was more than four
times the national rate. These statistics reflect an even lower moral standard than predicted
which is possibly caused by the economic worth of attending a community college. Most likely,
a higher positive correlation could have been found between a state institution and the national
level.
Perhaps the most astonishing result was that LeTourneau’s divorce rate was not even
close to being lower than the national level. According to the end results, LeTourneau’s
numbers were almost double those on the national scale. The determination of the causes of
these unexpected results includes the fact that although LeTourneau students are held to
Christian standards, they cannot control decisions made by their parents.
Encouragingly, LeTourneau demonstrated the overall highest rate of marriage as
forecasted. This validates the impact of Christian morals on the standard of living. Christian
principles do carry weight in regard to the strength of family composition.
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References:
“Family Composition Changing.” 9 Apr. 2001. United States Department of Commerce News.
22 Sept. 2001 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb96-195.html>.
Fields, Jason. “America’s Families and Living Arrangements.” 1 June 2001. United States
Department of Commerce News. 22 Sept. 2001 <http://www.census.gov/
prod/2001pubs/p20-537.pdf>
“Forty-three Percent of First Marriages Break Up Within Fifteen Years.” 24 May 2001. National
Center for Health Statistics. 22 Sept. 2001 <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/releases/
01news/firstmarr.htm>.
Kuklo, Cezary. “Marriage in Pre-Industrial Warsaw in the Light of Demographic Studies.” 1990.
Journal of Family History. 22 Sept. 2001 <http://ehosttvgw12.epnet.com/delivery.asp>.
U.S. Census Bureau. 27 Oct. 2001. United States Department of Commerce. 27 Oct. 2001
<http://www.census.gov>.
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Surveys:
The following are the actual surveys. Further conclusions can be made from the resulting
surveys; however, the focus of this paper is strictly on the parent’s marital status of those
surveyed.
Special Note:
This survey was conducted by distributing the following questionnaires to a random
sampling of fifty students at each school for a total of one hundred surveys taken. Prior to
completing the survey, a verbal explanation of the contents and goals of the study was presented
to each individual.