tailieunhanh - Economic Trajectories in Non-Traditional Families with Children

Second, we examine a much more comprehensive set of family forms and dynamics than prior studies have examined. Specifically, we compare the economic trajectories of three types of stable families – stably married, stably cohabiting and stably single; we also examine how transitions into and out of each of these statuses are associated with short-term changes in economic status. | WORKING P A P E R Economic Trajectories in Non-Traditional Families with Children SARAH O. MEADOWS SARA S. MCLANAHAN JEAN T. KNAB This product is part of the RAND Labor and Population working paper series. RAND working papers are intended to share researchers latest findings and to solicit informal peer review. They have been approved for circulation by RAND Labor and Population but have not been formally edited or peer reviewed. Unless otherwise indicated working papers can be quoted and cited without permission of the author provided the source is clearly referred to as a working paper. RAND s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. RAND is a registered trademark. WR-701 August 2009 This paper series made possible by the NIA funded RAND Center for the Study of Aging P30AG012815 and the NICHD funded RAND Population Research Center R24HD050906 . RAND LABOR AND POPULATION Economic Trajectories in Non-Traditional Families with Children Sarah O. Meadows RAND Corporation Sara S. McLanahan Princeton University Jean T. Knab Mathematica Policy Research August 21 2009 The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development NICHD and a consortium of private foundations. Address correspondence to the author at RAND Corporation 1776 Main Street . Box 2138 Santa Monica CA 90407-2138 e-mail smeadows@. Economic Trajectories of Non-Traditional Families 2 Abstract Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study this paper examines associations between family structure and economic trajectories during the first five years after a child s birth paying special attention to non-traditional families. Among families with stable structures married-parent families have the highest economic wellbeing followed by cohabiting-parent families and then single mothers. Among unstable families exits from marriage and cohabitation are associated with .