Do Differences in Intentions Explain Racial/Ethnic Variation in Family Formation Outcomes?

• In Event: 432 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Paper Session. Changes in the Timing of Life Course Transitions in Young Adulthood: Taking Longer, Maybe Never

Abstract

Racial/ethnic differences in family formation are well-documented and scholars have often pointed to both structural and cultural/ideational factors to explain them. Yet, investigations into the role that cultural/ideational differences play have been sparse and limited in numerous ways. Using NLSY79 data, this study investigates how variations in family formation intentions explain group differences in family formation outcomes for the occurrence, timing, and sequencing of marriage and parenthood. Significant differences in family formation outcomes and intentions are found across race/ethnicity. Intentions for marriage entry and timing explain approximate 33% of the Black-White difference in age at first marriage and substantially suppress Hispanic-White differences in age at marriage. For other outcomes – ever marrying, becoming a parent, age at first birth, and nonmarital childbearing – intentions account for less than 10% of group differences.

Author

• Daniel L. Carlson, Georgia State University