Correlates and Comparisons of Marital Duration of Black and White Couples in California, 1966-1976

A two percent random sample of California's population of couples filing for divorce/dissolution from 1966/1976 was examined with reference to comparison of black and white couples vis à vis trends in marital duration to separation and various correlates of marital duration to separation. We found that black couples as compared with white couples evidenced declining duration over the 11-year period and showed that social class as indicated by occupation would not explain differences in duration between black and white couples; education showed no sizable differences between black and white couples. We suggest that conservative Protestant values and membership may be of heuristic significance in addressing the concerns expressed by current scholars in regard to the fortunes and future of the stability of the black family in America.