Work

Early Family Formation Among White, Black, and Mexican American Women

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Using data from Waves I and III of Add Health, we examine early family formation among 6,144 White, Black, and Mexican American women. Drawing on cultural and structural perspectives, we estimate models of the first and second family transitions (cohabitation, marriage, or childbearing) using discrete time multinomial logistic regression. Complex differences by race/ethnicity and generation are partially explained by differences in attitudes and values in adolescence and family SES; marriage values are especially important in first-generation Mexican women's early entry into marriage. Examination of sequential family transitions sheds light on race/ethnic differences in the meaning and consequences of early cohabitation and pre-union births.

Source: Journal of Family Issues

DOI: 10.1177/0192513x09342847

Authors: Nancy S. Landale, Robert Schoen, Kimberly Daniels

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development