Full Citation
Title: A Historical Perspective of Step-Parenting in the United States: Exploring Changes in the American Family Using an Age-Period-Cohort Model
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2005
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI:
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Demographic changes of the last 50 years have re-shaped the American family. Increases in divorce, nonmarital births, and cohabitation have shifted child-rearing from co-residence with both biological parents to a variety of complex family contexts. However, changes in living with children differed by gender. Throughout this period, the majority mothers retained physical custody of their children after relationship dissolution, leaving many men outside of the everyday lives of their biological children. In turn, a large pool of women, living with their children, and men, living apart from their children, were now available to create step-families. As a result, these demographic and social changes have shifted the role of parenthood, especially for men, from a biological to a social one. While most demographic research on step-families centers on the role of cohabitation and nonmarital childbearing on likelihood of step-parenthood, few take into account the impact of age or period effects. No studies known of consider cohort effects, or a combination of age, period, and cohort on the historical likelihood of being a stepparent. Using IPUMS data (1940-2000), we employ an age, period, cohort characteristic model to examine differences in social parenting in the United States. Results show age, period, and cohort to be significant predictors of step-parenthood. While incidence of step-parenthood is similar for men and women across all three dimensions, more men experience step-parenthood than women. Overall, our analysis provides a first step towards better understanding of how step-parenthood varies over the life course, over time, and across cohorts.
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Spearin, Carrie E.; Torr, Berna Miller
Conference Name: American Sociological Association
Publisher Location: Philadelphia, PA
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Family and Marriage, Other
Countries: