Together despite the odds: Explaining racial and ethnic heterogeneity in union dissolution after incarceration

Abstract

The U.S. incarceration rate rose dramatically over the past 45 years, increasing the number of marriages and cohabiting unions disrupted by a jail or prison stay. But as some have pointed out, not all unions dissolve as a result of incarceration, and there seems to be racial-ethnic variation in this tendency, with Blacks displaying higher rates of dissolution than Whites and Hispanics. Yet it is unclear what explains racial-ethnic differences in union dissolution among the incarcerated. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), we examine why racial-ethnic differences in union dissolution exist among a sample of individuals who had a marital or a cohabiting union interrupted by an incarceration spell. In doing so, we draw on social exchange theory and structural and cultural theories to suggest that racial-ethnic disparities in union dissolution are explained by differential exposure to protective relationship characteristics. The results of Cox hazard models reveal that Blacks have significantly higher hazards of union dissolution than do Whites and Hispanics. These results also indicate that being married, having a child together, having full-time employment, a longer union duration, and a shorter incarceration spell Criminology. 2020;58:129-155.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/crim

Incarceration and family instability: Considering relationship churning

“…There is suggestive evidence that the association between incarceration and relationship churning is larger in magnitude for Black mothers than for white mothers. This is consistent with previous research on incarceration and other forms of relationship instability (Western, 2006;Widdowson et al, 2020), and it is particularly noteworthy, given the disproportionate representation of Blacks in the criminal justice system (Vogel & Porter, 2016). This further underlines how incarceration exacerbates racial/ethnic inequalities in family instability (for discussion, see Cavanagh & Fomby, 2019).…”

“…Blacks are also subjected to more discrimination resulting from a criminal record (Pager, 2003), and the corresponding reduced employment opportunities could result in relationship churning. Indeed, research finds incarceration is more consequential for union dissolution among Blacks than among whites and Hispanics (Western, 2006;Widdowson et al, 2020; though see Apel, 2016); the present study examines this possibility with regards to incarceration and churning.…”

“…Incarceration can be profoundly destabilizing for family life in general and romantic relationships in particular (Turney, 2015a;Western, 2006;Widdowson et al, 2020). However, as incarceration is similarly predictive of dissolution and churning, these findings show that union dissolution is not the only way that incarceration undermines unions.…”

“…Therefore, in line with the family stress perspective, the multiple stressors incarceration presents for couple relationships are linked to higher rates of family instability. In the existing literature, "family instability" has been nearly exclusively operationalized as union dissolution (see, e.g., Turney, 2015a;Western, 2006;Widdowson et al, 2020). By considering relationship churning, the present study expands our understanding of the types of family instability that may follow a period of incarceration.…”

“…Incarceration gives rise to family instability, including the dissolution of both marital and cohabiting unions (Turney, 2015a;Western, 2006;Widdowson et al, 2020). However, existing research considers a narrow definition of family instability, treating relationship status as dichotomous: together or broken up.…”