Family Structure Effects on Maternal and Paternal Parenting in Low‐Income Families

Abstract

Using longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Survey, a birth cohort study, this study analyzes the effect of family structure on parenting for 3,402 mothers and 2,615 fathers. To address the problem of omitted variable bias, fixed effects methods are used to control for the presence of time‐invariant unobserved characteristics that may counfound estimates. Marriage by itself did not influence the parenting of mothers or fathers, and there was little effect of family structure on maternal parenting. The presence of a romantic partner was important, as fathers who repartner had lower engagement scores and mothers reported cohabiting stepfathers to be more involved in the family’s life as compared to married biological fathers.

Recomposition familiale, parentalité et beau-parentalité

“…Par contre, la vaste étude de Gibson-Davis (2008), réalisée uniquement auprès de parents de très jeunes enfants, n'a mis en lumière aucune différence sur le plan des pratiques disciplinaires des parents provenant de familles recomposées et de familles intactes. La formation d'une nouvelle union n'apparaît donc pas avoir d'impact négatif sur les pratiques disciplinaires des mères.…”

“…Ainsi, l'étude de Thomson et ses collaborateurs (2001) indique que la relation avec la mère peut s'améliorer à la suite d'une recomposition. Les résultats obtenus dans deux autres études ne montrent, pour leur part, aucune différence entre les structures familiales (Gibson-Davis, 2008;Laursen, 2005).…”

“…Les pères non résidents vivant avec une nouvelle conjointe montrent significativement moins d'engagement positif envers leur enfant que les pères restés seuls (Gibson-Davis, 2008). Ces résultats sont corroborés par des adolescents qui rapportent que la nouvelle relation réduit le temps que leur parent a à leur accorder : ils préfèrent donc le visiter moins fréquemment, pour ne pas avoir le sentiment d'être mis de côté (Hutchinson, Afifi et Krause, 2007).…”

Parental Absence and Academic Achievement in Immigrant Students

“…The aim of the study was to bridge the gap between two bodies of literature: (a) literature on the effects of parental absence on the academic achievement of children which has focused on parental separation due to parental divorce (Coley, 1998;Lamb, 1999;Gibson-Davis, 2008) and (b) literature on the academic achievement of immigrant children who often experience the absence of a parent as a consequence of the immigration process (Gaytan et al, 2007;Rousseau et al, 2004). Despite the value of these two bodies of research, our understanding of the factors that can impede or promote the academic achievement and educational expectations of immigrant students in the United States is constrained because the gap that exists has not been closed.…”

“…Children raised in dual-parent homes have better psychosocial adjustment (e.g., less internalizing and externalizing behaviors), better achievement in school, higher educational achievement, and less involvement in antisocial and delinquent behavior (Astone & McLanahan, 1991;Coley, 1998;Hernandez, 2004;Lamb, 1999;Suarez-Orozco et al, 2009). This may be because two-parent homes have greater resources, time, and attention to offer their children (Gibson-Davis, 2008;Suarez-Orozco et al, 2009). Multiple caretakers also are better able to facilitate academic engagement and performance (Suarez-Orozco et al 2009).…”