Why Diddy Chooses Baby's Mamas Over Marriage: Financial Lovemaking 101

We all know that the majority of African American parents choose not to get married. But we also know that half of all American marriages end in divorce, which means that many people should never have gotten married in the first place. In this episode of "Financial Lovemaking", we determine whether or not African American men who choose to become "baby's daddies" are making a decision that is better, worse or different from those who choose to get married.

The rapper Diddy chose not to marry any of the mothers of his children, but it has cost him dearly.

Diddy Does it Up

Is this the Diddy we have all come to know and love? The year was 1997, and the event is the opening of Sean Comb's now defunct Justin's restaurant. With that baby face and ill-fitting suit, Diddy, then Puff Daddy, looks like a kid who's been playing in his father's closet.

Ron Galella, WireImage.com

A long-time player in the game called "hip hop mogul," Diddy played tough guy with fellow baller Jay-Z in 2000. They both look a little ashy. Is that a wash cloth is Comb's back pocket? Lord.

J. Vespa, WireImage.com

Continuing to try to keep it real, Diddy dated felow middle-class urbanite Jennifer Lopez in 2000. As Lopez rocked her fake Latina gang member do rag, Combs strutted the red carpet pretending to be a princely thug. The curved cap rim gave him away -- no thug would do that! Incidentally, this was around the time Combs and Lopez were arrested for involvement in a shoot out in a nightclub -- thug enough for ya?

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

Um. I don't know what to say here, except wrong, wrong, wrong and NEXT!!!! The year 2000 was a very bad year for the artist formerly known as Puffy's style sense.

Ron Galella, WireImage.com

Unfortunately, 2001 was also not a very good year. Puff hit the streets in the type of wide-legged baggy pants that should be reserved for a 'Fat Albert' character.

Jim Spellman, WireImage.com

Always known as a great performer, Diddy took to the stage in 2002 to show the world that he is a devout Mets fan in head-to-toe gear. Still a little childish. Would Diddy's style ever transform?

Kevork Djansezian

Again modeling his look after a member of the 'Fat Albert' cast, poor Puff hit Fashion Week dressed like the bass player in the Junkyard Band in an over-sized Kangol hat. He was at a 2001 Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show people!!!! SHM. But I can't talk. I would get an all-white suit immediately dirty.

Serge Benhamou, Prestige / Getty Images

Then, BAM! In 2003, Diddy made the change from fashion misfit to trendsetter. He filled out a little bit, and took to the runway of his own fashion show to take a bow in a well-cut suit. It's a little shiny, and the sleeves are short, but he looks good!

Mark Lennihan, AP

Continuing on a winning streak, Puff hit the 2003 MTV Movie Awards red carpet in a very mature linen suit, while sporting the super-dark sunglasses that he has worn since the beginning of his career. Most Scorpios love to cover the eyes which they say are the window to the soul. Or maybe they help block the paparazzi's glare.

Dave Hogan, Getty Images

In 2003, Diddy wore casual outifts without having to pull off a "thug" costume, as in earlier years. After the papes come, you can be effortlessly yourself. There go those shades again.

Lester Cohen, WireImage.com

He pays tens of thousands each month in child support. While the actor Mel Gibson is being forced to give over half a billion dollars to his ex-wife of 28 years. Which is the better outcome - to pay for 18 years or to pay for the past 18 years all at once?

Click here to listen as Dr Boyce and Tia talk Love and Money.