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Cohabitation: Sharpening a Fuzzy Concept

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  • Jean Tansey Knab

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

This paper uses Fragile Families data to examine (1) the degree of correspondence between measures of cohabitation, (2) the prevalence of ?part-time? cohabitation, and (3) the extent to which the characteristics associated with cohabiting relationship are sensitive to how part-time cohabitation is classified. The results show cohabitation is a continuous rather than a dichotomous variable. At both ends of the continuum, there is substantial agreement across measures about who is (not) cohabiting. In the middle of the continuum, however, there is considerable ambiguity, with as much as 15% of couples reporting part-time cohabitation. How we classify this group will affect estimates of the prevalence of cohabitation, especially among African Americans, and may impact the characteristics and outcomes of cohabitors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Tansey Knab, 2005. "Cohabitation: Sharpening a Fuzzy Concept," Working Papers 944, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp04-05-ff-knab.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:pri:crcwel:wp01-07-ff-teitler is not listed on IDEAS
    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. Lynne Casper & Philip Cohen, 2000. "How does POSSLQ measure up? Historical estimates of cohabitation," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 37(2), pages 237-245, May.
    4. Reichman, Nancy E. & Teitler, Julien O. & Garfinkel, Irwin & McLanahan, Sara S., 2001. "Fragile Families: sample and design," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(4-5), pages 303-326.
    5. Julien O. Teitler & Nancy E. Reichman, 2001. "Cohabitation: An Elusive Concept," Working Papers 967, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
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    Cited by:

    1. Wendy D. Manning & Kara Joyner & Paul Hemez & Cassandra Cupka, 2019. "Measuring Cohabitation in U.S. National Surveys," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(4), pages 1195-1218, August.
    2. Daniel R. Meyer & Marcia J. Carlson, 2014. "Family Complexity," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 654(1), pages 259-276, July.
    3. Cynthia Osborne & Sara McLanahan, 2007. "Partnership Instability and Child Well-being," Working Papers 946, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    4. repec:pri:crcwel:wp04-16-ff-osborne is not listed on IDEAS

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