This week's readings by Wilson and Massey and Denton cover the topic of the urban underclass and poverty and ways by which it may have formed/come about and by which it may be perpetuated. Wilson's perspective on the matter is that black family structure contributes heavily to the poverty status (Wilson 63). He reports that throughout the years, beginning in the late 19th and early 20th century, family structure was similar to that of white families: most families were nuclear families and fathers remained with their families, marrying the woman by which they had children (Wilson 64). Most households were not female-headed, and when they were, it was usually caused by death of the partner, as opposed to divorce or never having married in the first place (Wilson 65). However, this began to change in the middle of the 20th century, progressively becoming a worse and worse problem. It has, unfortunately, become the case that, at the time of Wilson's writing, female-headed households were becoming more common: by 1983, 42% were female-headed (Wilson 66). Another noticeable change that has taken place is the decrease in age at first parenthood: Wilson notes that both black and white women, but black women especially, were beginning to have children while still in their adolescent years. This was observed but with less prevalence during the middle of the 20th century. I have a relatively simple question with regards to this subject matter: why have kids at such a young age if you know you can't support them? Kids (young people) raised in middle class families may be able to get away with having kids early: their own parents may be supportive and provided assistance - material, financial, and moral - in caring for the child. But if you live in an impoverished state, why make it worse for yourself and the child you will be having?