The United States shows striking racial and ethnic differences in marriage patterns. Compared to both white and Hispanic women, black women marry later in life, are less likely to marry at all, and have higher rates of marital instability. Kelly Raley, Megan Sweeney, and Danielle Wondra begin by reviewing common explanations for these differences,…

Effects of divorce on children are reviewed, acknowledging two contradictory trends. On one hand, it is increasingly recognized that the intact biological parent family offers many advantages. On the other hand, there is increasing acceptance that divorce can be better than having parents stay together for their children's sake. (SLD)