397 - Plenary Session. The Rise of Nonmarital Births

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

An increasing proportion of American women and men have their first child, and sometimes subsequent children, outside of marriage. The upward trend began more than a half century ago, and is more more pronounced among those who are less privileged. For example, there is almost no such trend among white college graduates. Nonmarital births are typically to couples in relationships or cohabiting unions that break up within a few years, leading to substantial complexity and instability in family patterns. Panelists will consider the trends, social forces encouraging nonmarital births, and their consequences for adults and children.

Sub Unit

• Plenary and Presidential Panels

Session Organizer

• Paula England, New York University

Presider

• Paula England, New York University

Panelists

• Andrew J. Cherlin, Johns Hopkins University

• Lawrence L. Wu, New York University

• Marcia J. Carlson, University of Wisconsin-Madison