For richer or for poorer: The impact of state-level legislation on marriage, divorce, and other outcomes

    Authors

    A. M. Donley;J. D. Wright

    Comments

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    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

    WOS:000252852700001

    ISSN

    0273-2173

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