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Relationship Characteristics and the Relationship Context of Nonmarital First Births Among Young Adult Women
Author(s) -
Manlove Jennifer,
Wildsmith Elizabeth,
Welti Kate,
Scott Mindy E.,
Ikramullah Erum
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
social science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1540-6237
pISSN - 0038-4941
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00853.x
Subject(s) - odds , national longitudinal surveys , disengagement theory , demography , context (archaeology) , ethnic group , psychology , educational attainment , gerontology , medicine , sociology , demographic economics , logistic regression , geography , political science , archaeology , anthropology , economics , law
Objectives The objectives of this study were to examine whether and how characteristics of the relationship dyad are linked to nonmarital childbearing among young adult women, additionally distinguishing between cohabiting and nonunion births. Methods We used the N ational L ongitudinal S urvey of Y outh, 1997 C ohort and discrete time‐event history methods to examine these objectives. Results Our analyses found that similarities and differences between women and their most recent sexual partner in educational attainment, disengagement from work or school, race/ethnicity, and age were linked to the risk and context of nonmarital childbearing. For example, partner disengagement (from school and work) was associated with increased odds of a nonmarital birth regardless of whether the woman herself was disengaged. Additionally, having a partner of a different race/ethnicity was associated with nonmarital childbearing for whites, but not for blacks and H ispanics. Conclusions We conclude that relationship characteristics are an important dimension of the lives of young adults that influence their odds of having a birth outside of marriage.