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Title: Family Structure and the Reproduction of Inequalities

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2008

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Abstract: Over the past four decades, income inequality has increased and familystructures have diversified.We argue that family structure has becomean important mechanism for the reproduction of class, race, and genderinequalities. We review studies of income inequality and family structurechanges and find a wide range of estimates of the correlation.Wediscuss how increases in income inequality may lead to increases insingle motherhood, particularly among less educated women. Singlemotherhood in turn decreases intergenerational economic mobility byaffecting childrens material resources and the parenting they experience.Because of the unequal distribution of family structure by raceand the negative effects of single motherhood, family structure changesexacerbate racial inequalities. Gender inequalities also increase as mothersincur more child-related costs and fewer fathers experience familylife with children.

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Authors: McLanahan, Sara; Percheski, Christine

Periodical (Full): Anuual Review of Sociology

Issue:

Volume: 34

Pages: 257-276

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage

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