Black Americans Redefine Family Ties Through Religion, Pew Study Finds

Religious affiliation is a key factor in forming extended family networks among Black Americans, according to new research.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A new Pew Research Center study has found that Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to consider people not related to them by blood or marriage as part of their families. The study, which surveyed 4,271 Black adults and 2,555 adults of other races, shows that religious affiliation is a key factor in shaping these alternative family networks, with 60% of Black Christians reporting having more than one nonrelative they consider family, compared to 53% of religiously unaffiliated Black adults.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the importance of religion and community in how many Black Americans define family, going beyond traditional nuclear family structures. This reflects historical roots in African kinship systems and the effects of slavery, which led to the formation of close-knit support networks among enslaved people. Understanding these family structures provides insight into the lived experiences of Black Americans and the central role of faith in their lives.

The details

The Pew study found that 77% of Black Americans said their family includes at least one nonrelative, compared to 63% of adults of other races. Respondents who identified as religious were more likely to include nonrelatives in their family networks, with 60% of Black Christians reporting having multiple nonrelative family members, versus 53% of religiously unaffiliated Black adults. Additionally, 72% of Black adults with nonrelative family members said those individuals shared their religious or spiritual beliefs, compared to 56% of adults of other races.

  • The survey was conducted from June 16-25, 2025.

The players

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan American think tank that provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends shaping the United States and the world.

Kiana Cox

The senior researcher who led the Pew study on how Black Americans define and experience family.

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What they’re saying

“It's sort of tongue in cheek. We use the term 'play cousin,' because that's the term that some Black people might be familiar with.”

— Kiana Cox, Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center (anabaptistworld.org)

“Religion is a basis of connection, or a basis of definition, for these nonrelative family members because they share religious and spiritual beliefs.”

— Kiana Cox, Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center (anabaptistworld.org)

The takeaway

This Pew study provides valuable insights into how religious affiliation and community ties shape the family structures of many Black Americans, moving beyond traditional nuclear family models. It highlights the central role of faith in defining kinship and support networks within the Black community, reflecting historical and cultural influences that continue to impact the lived experiences of Black Americans today.