It used to be called illegitimacy—but now it is the new normal.  After steadily rising, the amount of children born to unmarried women has crossed a threshold—more than half the births in the U.S. are to women under 30 who are not married.

According to the Washington research group, Child Trends, the fastest growth of unwed mothers is in middle America. These women are in their 20’s, have some college education, but not a four-year degree.  If they were married then their household income would rise, which would mean no government benefits like food stamps and child care.

No-fault divorce has signaled that marriage is not as fundamental to society as it once was.  College graduates still overwhelmingly marry before having children. Money plays a big part in why well-educated Americans still marry at high rates. They can offer each other more financial support and hire someone to help with running their household and caring for their children. Children born to married couples are usually better educated and emotionally adjusted.