This document discusses how marriage rates have declined in Tennessee since 1964 and the negative effects this has had, especially on child poverty rates. Some key points: - The percentage of children born out of wedlock in Tennessee increased from 10% in 1964 to 44.1% in 2010. - Single-parent families have much higher poverty rates than married families. Marriage reduces the probability of child poverty by 82% in Tennessee. - Over one-third of families with children in Tennessee are not married. 73% of poor families with children are unmarried. - Less educated women are more likely to have out-of-wedlock births. Marriage and education are both effective at reducing child poverty.