by Kay S. Hymowitz

About the author: Kay S. Hymowitz is a contributing editor of City Journal.

In 1990 the National Office of Education Statistics produced some astounding poll results. When 10th-graders were asked whether they would consider having a child without being married, only 53% said no. The remaining 47% said either they would or they weren’t sure.

Marriage Is an Option

These results should be emblazoned in everyone’s mind now that, in 1998, two Kentucky high school juniors are suing their school board for denying them entrance into the National Honor Society apparently because they are unwed mothers. The two 17-year-olds, Somer Chipman and (yes, really) Chasity Glass, merely reflect the shrugging attitude toward marriage shared by almost half of their peers.

It’s hardly the kids’ fault. Adults have taught...