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The Changing Association between Marriage, Work, and Child Poverty in the U.S., 1974-2010

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  • Regina Baker

Abstract

Marriage and work have long been central to debates regarding poverty and the family. Although ample research demonstrate their negative association with child poverty, both marriage and work have undergone major transformations over recent decades. Consequently, it is plausible that their association with child poverty may have also changed. Using ten waves of U.S. Census Current Population Survey data from the Luxembourg Income Study, this study examined the relationships between marriage, work, and relative measures of child poverty from 1974-2010. Results indicated both marriage and work still decrease the odds of child poverty. However, time interactions showed marriage’s negative association with child poverty has declined in magnitude, whereas work’s negative association with child poverty has increased in magnitude. These findings underscore the historically-varying influence of demographic characteristics for poverty. They also suggest the limitations of overemphasizing marriage and the growing importance of work for reducing child poverty in America.

Suggested Citation

  • Regina Baker, 2015. "The Changing Association between Marriage, Work, and Child Poverty in the U.S., 1974-2010," LIS Working papers 636, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:lis:liswps:636
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Brady & Regina Baker & Ryan Finnigan, 2013. "When Unionization Disappears: State-Level Unionization and Working Poverty in the U.S," LIS Working papers 590, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    2. Suzanne Bianchi, 2000. "Maternal employment and time with children: Dramatic change or surprising continuity?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 37(4), pages 401-414, November.
    3. Elizabeth Ty Wilde & Lily Batchelder & David T. Ellwood, 2010. "The Mommy Track Divides: The Impact of Childbearing on Wages of Women of Differing Skill Levels," NBER Working Papers 16582, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Wen-Hao Chen & Miles Corak, 2008. "Child poverty and changes in child poverty," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 45(3), pages 537-553, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Kimberly McErlean & Jennifer L. Glass, 2024. "How Do Households Fare Economically When Mothers Become Their Primary Financial Support?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 45(2), pages 395-409, June.
    3. Regina S. Baker, 2022. "Ethno-Racial Variation in Single Motherhood Prevalences and Penalties for Child Poverty in the United States, 1995–2018," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 702(1), pages 20-36, July.
    4. John Iceland, 2019. "Racial and Ethnic Inequality in Poverty and Affluence, 1959–2015," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 38(5), pages 615-654, October.
    5. Regina S. Baker & David Brady & Zachary Parolin & Deadric T. Williams, 2022. "The Enduring Significance of Ethno-Racial Inequalities in Poverty in the U.S., 1993–2017," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(3), pages 1049-1083, June.
    6. Amie Bostic, 2023. "Family, Work, Economy, or Social Policy: Examining Poverty Among Children of Single Mothers in Affluent Democracies Between 1985 and 2016," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-57, August.

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