Individual and Coparenting Differences Between Divorcing and Unmarried Fathers

Abstract

The current study examines differences in demographic characteristics, parental conflict, and nonresidential father involvement between divorcing and unmarried fathers with young children. Participants were 161 families (36 unmarried) with children aged 0 to 6 years, involved in a larger longitudinal study of separating and divorcing families. Baseline data were gathered from parenting plans, court databases, and parent reports. Results indicated that unmarried fathers were younger, more economically disadvantaged, less well educated, less likely to have their children living with them, and had less influence on decision making. Unmarried fathers reported more conflict regarding their attempts to be involved with their children in their day‐to‐day activities. Understanding these unique characteristics and dynamics will help to maximize effective services in the legal system for unmarried couples.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Divorce and Paternity Mediations

“…With the number of children born to unmarried parents increasing, mediations for paternity cases will increase as well, and little is known about these types of cases (Insabella, Williams, & Pruett, 2003). The present study is one of the first to examine this variable as a predictor of agreement in mediation.…”

“…This is an area in particular need of more information, as the numbers of children born to unmarried mothers has been steadily increasing over the last six decades, reaching 36.9% of all births in 2005, the last year in which information was available from National Center for Health Statistics (Martin et al., 2007). In one of the few studies comparing family court processes between married and unmarried fathers experiencing relationship dissolution, aside from expected demographic differences (e.g., fathers in paternity cases were younger and had lower income), unmarried fathers were not found to be experiencing poorer mental health or more negative changes in the parent–child relationship but were experiencing higher levels of conflict with the mother, and conflict (not marriage status) predicted decreased levels of father's involvement with his children (Insabella, Williams, & Pruett, 2003). In a small study (29 couples) of mediation outcomes with indigent parents, there was no difference in mediation outcomes between married and never‐married parents (Caprez & Armstrong, 2001).…”

Patterns and predictors of coparenting after unmarried parents part.

“…When the “package” comes apart with union dissolution, the type and quality of the parents’ relationship when they were still together may matter for coparenting (Kamp Dush et al, 2011). For example, couples who were previously in a highly-committed relationship may have cooperated more as parents prior to the end of their relationship than couples who were not, and they may continue to have a stronger coparental relationship after their romantic relationship ends (Insabella, Williams, & Pruett, 2003). Mothers’ and fathers’ relationships and childbearing with new partners also likely influence their investment in the coparental relationship vis-à-vis their prior common child.…”

Children's Living Arrangements Following Separation and Divorce: Insights From Empirical and Clinical Research

“…Marital status and income also have an effect. Compared with divorced fathers, fathers who never married were poorer and less well educated, and they reported more maternal interference in their involvement with their children, and less time and fewer overnights with their children (Insabella, Williams, & Pruett, 2003).…”