Fragile Families and the Marriage Agenda

Many people see government involvement in family policy as a response to popular concerns that the American family is in a state of crisis. One of the primary concerns with fragile families (one parent usually mother) is economic: Poverty rates for single mothers are several times that of two-parent families. Economic deprivation while growing up has been linked to poor physical health, reduced intellectual ability and academic achievement.

Some social sciences contend that marriage is the solution to many of the problems associated with single-parent families. Other experts believe that government programs designed to raise marriage rates may cause more problems than they solve (i.e. domestic violence, divorce, etc.).

The proposed volume will explore issues related to fragile families from many different perspectives on the causes and consequences of this issue. This book is divided up into sections covering legal and theoretical perspectives, causes and consequences of offspring wellbeing, and the aspect of father's importance to the fragile families.

Offers timely research about one of the most important public policy initiatives related to family well-being in recent years Poised at the edge of an important and uncharted policy experiment, this book sheds light on the debate about family policies' ultimate effects on family well-being Offers sound scientific knowledge and reasoned review of the information that should guide policy activity in this important area Offers both theoretical and empirical perspectives on fragile families from many different disciplines, including sociology, psychology, family studies, legal studies, and policy studies

Autorentext
Nicholas Wolfinger is an Associate Professer at the University of Utah.He is the recipient of the University of Utahs Superior Research Award, 2004.

Inhalt
Fragile Families and the Marriage Agenda.- Marrying for America.- Teen Childbearing and Public Policy.- Fragile Families and Family Law.- Family Structure and Child Well-Being.- Shifting Fortunes in a Changing Economy.- Family Structure and Adolescent Labor Market Participation.- Maybe Someday.- Fatherhood as a Transformative Process.