According to a study by the Institute for Family Studies, the percentage of American children who are living with both their married birth parents has reached its highest level in decades, the Christian Post reports.

In 1960 the percentage of children who were under the age of 18 living with their married birth parents sat at 87.7%.

By 2005, the percentage had shrunk to 67.3%, and to 60% by 2020.

Most believed that this percentage would simply continue its steady decline.

However, a recent analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau statistics for 2023 revealed a surprising reversal of this downward trend. It found that 71.1% of children were living with both their married birth parents, making it the highest percentage seen since 1990.

“The trends reviewed here show us that those who predicted a relentless increase in family instability or single parenthood were simply wrong,” said Research psychologist Nicholas Zill who led the study.

“There seem to be growing numbers of young adults in all racial and ethnic groups who realize the economic, educational, and emotional benefits of marriage for themselves and their future children,” he added. “As parenthood becomes more selective, the marriage-minded may have an advantage in childbearing.”