By Stephen Hooker - email
STATEWIDE (WIS) - New census numbers show the face of the family is now changing in South Carolina. There are now more gay parents and even more single dads raising children.
You probably didn't notice some subtle changes during your ride through life over the last 10 years, but the 2010 census sure did. South Carolina grew 15% since 2000 to over 4.5 million more people.
But there's more, like a 53% increase in unmarried couples, a 4% drop in families where both parents live with their kids, and a 37% jump in unrelated roommates living under the same roof.
The data shows a 52% jump in gay couples since 2000. "I don't think that there is a significantly larger number of gay people who live in South Carolina or in any other state," said USC professor Drucilla Barker. "But the percentage of people who will admit to being a gay couple, that has gone up."
There was also a 30% jump in single fathers raising their own kids. "That is the most surprising to me, because I think there is still such a social stigma against men raising their children alone," said Barker.
"I think that's great!" said Mike Fisher. "I mean, more guys are agreeing to man up. Wonderful!"
"If the increase in fathers taking responsibility is greater, I think that's wonderful," added Juanita Hayden.
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