Fatherhood and the Progression of Romantic Relationships

• In Event: 416 - Section on the Sociology of the Family. Race, Ethnicity, Social Class, and Families

Abstract

High levels of relationship flux have resulted in a partner market that is increasingly characterized by the presence of children. Researchers have found that prior fertility disadvantages women in the partner market, but to date little is known about the effect of children on men’s repartnering. Having children may make men lower-status partners, just as it does for women, but research across a number of different domestic and professional settings suggests that having children is advantageous for men in ways that it is not for women. Using data from the pooled 2002-2015 National Surveys of Family Growth, this paper tests whether men who are fathers enter into more disadvantaged unions than childless men, and assesses how men’s prior fertility influences the progression of romantic relationships. Results reveal that men with prior fertility are more disadvantaged than childless men. Once we account for this disadvantage, prior fertility does not influence men’s likelihood of partnering with lower-SES women, nor does it influence their relative likelihood of cohabitation or marriage. This stands in sharp contrast to the consequences of prior fertility for women, which leads to more disadvantaged partners and a greater likelihood of cohabitation. We discuss the implications of our results for theories of status exchange and gender equality.

Author

• Sharon L. Sassler, Cornell University