Title
For richer or for poorer: The impact of state-level legislation on marriage, divorce, and other outcomes
Abbreviated Journal Title
Sociol. Spectr.
Keywords
SINGLE MOTHERS; UNWED MOTHERS; MARRY; COHABITATION; POVERTY; WELFARE; TRENDS; RATES; YOUNG; WOMEN; Sociology
Abstract
As a part of welfare reform, states throughout the country have enacted legislation to promote marriage. Lawmakers believe that by promoting marriage, the states will achieve lower divorce rates and lower rates of cohabitation by converting cohabitating couples into more stable married households, which in turn will lead to fewer women and children utilizing welfare programs. To determine the impact of state-level legislation, we analyze state-level 1990 and 2000 data in light of sixteen different state-level policy variables that were designed to increase marriage rates, decrease divorce rates, or otherwise have ''pro-family'' outcomes. This analysis shows few if any compelling differences between states that have enacted these various measures and those that have not.
Journal Title
Sociological Spectrum
Volume
28
Issue/Number
2
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Document Type
Article; Proceedings Paper
Language
English
First Page
133
Last Page
159
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0273-2173
Recommended Citation
"For richer or for poorer: The impact of state-level legislation on marriage, divorce, and other outcomes" (2008). Faculty Bibliography 2000s. 282.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2000/282
Comments
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