Non-marital childbearing is associated with many adverse outcomes for both the mother and the child. Most of these births are unintended. If these unintended births could be reduced it might improve children's prospects by enabling their mothers to get more education, earn more, and wait to have children within marriage. In this brief, the authors…

Many young children born to unwed parents currently live with their biological mothers and their mothers' new partners (social fathers). This study uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study (N = 1,350) to assess whether involvement by resident social fathers is as beneficial for child well-being as involvement by resident…

Analyzing data from 1,033 African American mothers, results indicate that household income, time on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and number of children are the strongest predictor of nonmarriage. The conclusions support previous findings that never-married mothers suffer more economic hardship than formerly married mothers. (JPS)

Examines risk factors for childhood homicides using data for Ohio-born children less than eight years of age killed between 1979 and 1986. Among the factors increasing risks were low birthweight, being Black, and having a mother who was teenage, unwed, or not a high school graduate. Other supports in the child's environment may reduce these risks.…

The unions of unwed parents are referred to as "fragile families" because they are similar to traditional families in many respects, but are more vulnerable. The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFS) is designed to study such families by following a new birth cohort of approximately 4,700 children, including 3,600 children…

This study examined changes in mothering behavior associated with remarriage or cohabitation by single mothers using data from National Survey of Families and Household. Mothers and children agreed that mothers used harsh discipline less when they remained in new partnerships. Children reported better relationships with mothers in partnerships at…

Focuses on marital histories of young mothers and whether the family structure into which children (N=940) of young mothers are born, and the stability of that arrangement, affects the child's academic abilities. Results suggest that young mothers marital histories do influence the educational achievements of their elementary-school-aged children.…

This source-book on the one parent family contains two sections. The first section includes six papers dealing with motherless families, fatherless separated families, divorce and children, the crisis of widowhood in the family cycle, the unmarried mother who keeps her child, and single parent adoptions. Section II includes 750 annotations of…

This report presents five commonly held stereotypes about children in the United States and analyzes their validity through discussion of data related to each. These stereotypes include: (1) births to unmarried women have increased tremendously mostly because of women of color; (2) child poverty is a problem in the inner city, not in the suburbs…

Investigated potential correlations between personal, family, and educational background factors and unplanned teen pregnancy. Significant differences among respondents were related to family relationships, race/ethnicity, and sexuality education. Findings provide information for family science researchers, family life educators, health personnel,…

Reviews research on the changing patterns of childbearing among adolescents and the impact of premature parenthood on the life course of young mothers and their children. The evidence supports the need for more integration among services and the importance of increasing the availability of services to those in need. (Author/BJV)

Examined contribution of risk and protective factors in adjustment of 721 children, age 8-15, born to teenage mothers. Results showed that exposure to increasing number of risk factors (poverty, urban residence, mother's self-esteem) was associated with greater vulnerability to adjustment problems, while protective factors (intelligence,…

Discusses factors that influence the formation of the Black extended family and the direct and indirect effects of the extended family on child and family development. Single mothers who are active participants in an extended family setting have a greater opportunity for self-improvement, work, and peer contact than do other mothers. (Author/BJV)

Policies and proposals to promote marriage have been in the public eye for several years, driven by concern over the large percentages of U.S. children growing up with only one parent. This brief reviews the research evidence on the effects of family structure on children, as well as key trends in family structure over the last few decades. The…

This assessment of food service needs in children's residential institutions is based on data gathered from visits to more than 350 children's institutions in 20 states and the District of Columbia and from nearly 1,200 responses to a questionnaire sent to every residential institution in every state. Findings indicate that children in orphanges,…