The Influence of Perceptions and Expectations on Marital Outcomes by Race

• In Event: 054 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 12. Gender, Race, and Class

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of marital perceptions and expectations on subsequent marriage formation among unmarried mothers. Respondents who expected to marry were significantly more likely to actually establish a marital union with their baby’s father than those with lower expectations. Those who perceived that marriage would be highly beneficial were less likely to actually marry. While somewhat surprising, this finding was consistent with a high marriage bar perspective. Those who expected that marriage would provide great benefits were most likely those who were unwilling to marry until their partners could live up to their high standard for a marriageable mate. I found that marital expectations and perceptions together were useful for helping to explain racial differences in marriage formation.

Author

• Calvina Ellerbe, University of North Carolina-Pembroke