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Unmarried Coparenting in the Context of Poverty: Understanding the Relationship Between Stress, Family Resource Management, and Resilience

Author

Listed:
  • Tyler B. Jamison

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • Lawrence Ganong

    (University of Missouri)

  • Christine M. Proulx

    (University of Missouri)

Abstract

Due to rising rates of non-marital birth in the United States, unmarried families have been the subject of extensive research and the target of government funded interventions over the last 15 years. Despite a growing literature on this population, few studies have addressed how unmarried couples coparent in the context of poverty. In the present study we used in-depth interviews with paired mothers and fathers to explore resilience processes in unmarried coparenting. We found that unmarried couples aspired to be good coparents, but the stress of living in poverty and the challenges of parenting young children led some to experience family strain or crisis. Using family stress theory as a framework for organizing the findings, we concluded that family resource management distinguished couples that adapted successfully to the task of coparenting from those that struggled to do so. Implications for theory, future research, and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyler B. Jamison & Lawrence Ganong & Christine M. Proulx, 2017. "Unmarried Coparenting in the Context of Poverty: Understanding the Relationship Between Stress, Family Resource Management, and Resilience," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 439-452, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:38:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-016-9518-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-016-9518-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:8058 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Robert G. Wood & Quinn Moore & Andrew Clarkwest & Alexandra Killewald, "undated". "The Long-Term Effects of Building Strong Families: A Program for Unmarried Parents," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 3ce2a1ad000e4df09fb94b434, Mathematica Policy Research.
    3. Marcia Carlson & Sara McLanahan & Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, 2008. "Coparenting and nonresident fathers’ involvement with young children after a nonmarital birth," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 45(2), pages 461-488, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yoshie Sano & Sheila Mammen & Myah Houghten, 2021. "Well-Being and Stability among Low-income Families: A 10-Year Review of Research," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 107-117, July.
    2. Tyler B. Jamison, 2018. "Cohabitation Transitions Among Low-income Parents: A Qualitative Investigation of Economic and Relational Motivations," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 73-87, March.
    3. Ashley B. LeBaron & Melissa A. Curran & Xiaomin Li & Jeffrey P. Dew & Trevor K. Sharp & Melissa A. Barnett, 2020. "Financial Stressors as Catalysts for Relational Growth: Bonadaptation Among Lower-Income, Unmarried Couples," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 424-441, September.

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