Final answer:
The marriage rates of black women as compared to white women cannot be accurately validated as true or false without considering several factors that affect marriage rates. Various studies highlight the influence of race, culture, age, and socio-economic status on these statistics, demonstrating that such statements about marriage rates are often complex and context-dependent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 26% of black women are married versus 51% of white women seems to be an oversimplification that does not take into account the complexities of marriage statistics within different demographics. It is important to consider various factors such as age, religious beliefs, cultural expectations, and socio-economic status when discussing marriage rates among different racial groups. According to Kreider (2006), whites are generally more likely to remarry than black Americans. Moreover, Venugopal (2011) indicates that Asian individuals are the most likely to marry, while African Americans are the least likely. However, for black women, the importance of religion does not significantly affect marital status (Bakalar 2010). U.S. Census figures from 2011 show that 20 percent of women and 14 percent of men by age forty will have never married. Additionally, in 2010, a larger percentage of never-married individuals were observed in the twenty-five to twenty-nine age bracket than in 1970.
Considering the provided references and the nuances of the demographics being discussed, without current, specific statistical data, the statement regarding the marriage rates of black women compared to white women cannot be considered fully accurate or complete. Thus, in the absence of clear and recent data supporting the specific percentages mentioned in the student's question, one could not accurately respond with a simple 'true' or 'false' without further clarification or context. Sam Roberts' article from the New York Times also alludes to this complexity by discussing the trend of more women, in general, living without a spouse.