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Long-Term Cohabitation among Unwed Parents: Determinants and Consequences for Children

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  • Ryan Heath Bogle

    (Bowling Green State University)

Abstract

Though a great deal of prior research has examined the stability of cohabiting unions and child wellbeing in cohabiting unions, little research has attempted to integrate these two concepts. Using 4 waves of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, I examine the determinants of long-term cohabitation among a recent group of unwed parents, and the consequences of different stable unions (marriage and cohabitation) for child wellbeing. Results indicate that relationship quality is the key determinant to both long-term cohabitation and marriage among unwed parents. Moreover, there are only slight negative implications for children raised in longterm two-biological-parent cohabiting relative to stable two biological married parent families. It appears that long-term cohabitation presents a viable family structure for children.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan Heath Bogle, 2012. "Long-Term Cohabitation among Unwed Parents: Determinants and Consequences for Children," Working Papers 1404, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp12-12-ff.pdf
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    File URL: https://fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/sites/fragilefamilies/files/wp12-12-ff.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sandra Hofferth, 2006. "Residential father family type and child well-being: Investment versus selection," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 43(1), pages 53-77, February.
    2. Marcia Carlson & Sara Mclanahan & Paula England, 2004. "Union formation in fragile families," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 41(2), pages 237-261, May.
    3. Jennifer Manlove & Suzanne Ryan & Elizabeth Wildsmith & Kerry Franzetta, 2010. "The relationship context of nonmarital childbearing in the U.S," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 23(22), pages 615-654.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    marriage; unions; child wellbeing; cohabitation; unwed parents;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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