Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N=7,686) are used to determine whether racial and ethnic differences in socioeconomic stress and social protection explain group differences in the association between family structure instability and three outcomes for white, black, and Mexican-American adolescents: delinquent behavior, age at first sex, and age at first nonmarital birth. Findings indicate that the positive association between mothers' union transitions and each outcome for white adolescents is attenuated by social protection. The association of instability with…
Adolescents who experience repeated change in family structure as parents begin and end romantic unions are more likely than adolescents in stable family structures to engage in aggressive, antisocial, or delinquent behavior. This paper examines whether the link between family structure instability and behavior in adolescence may be explained, in part, by the residential and school mobility that are often associated with family structure change. Nationally-representative data from a two-generation study are used to assess the relative effects of instability and mobility on the mother-reported…
This Web site contains a collection of fact sheets in PDF format from the NCSL's publication Connecting Low-Income Fathers and Families: A Guide to Practical Policies . The topics are:* Low-Income Fathers* Services for Fathers* Collaboration* Financing Fatherhood Programs* How Child Support Affects Low-Income Fathers* Prevention* Incarcerated Fathers
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Low rates of health insurance among low-income, workingage men are disproportionately high (as compared withwomen of similar ages and older men), reflecting the factthat these men have few options for private or publicinsurance. Lack of insurance is a serious concern insofaras low-income men have higher mortality rates thanlow-income women of similar ages. They also have higherprevalence rates for conditions like hypertension, highcholesterol and unhealthy weight, which put them at riskfor other health problems. Low-income men are more likelyto die from health conditions like diabetes, stroke…
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When families make the news, it is often for negative reasons such as violence or abuse. Negative perceptions of low-income families tend to be especially strong. However, families are critical to the positive development of children and youth, as well as to problems that may affect that development. Thus, it is important to examine not just the deficits, but also the assets and strengths that families of all income levels bring to raising children.This Research Brief reports on the results of new Child Trends analyses of data from the 2005 Every Child Every Promise Study conducted by America…
To explore the similarities and contrasts between poor and non-poor families, Child Trends analyzed data for more than 100,000 families from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. Our results suggest that, although poor families experience socioeconomic disadvantages, these families may be enriched by the strengths found in their family routines and relationships. Specifically, we found that poor families are at a disadvantage when it comes to receiving services and benefits and are more likely to express concerns about their neighborhoods. On the other hand, we found that poor…
This federally funded guide shares what is known about promising practices in healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) programs, especially those serving low-income and culturally diverse populations. It is intended to be helpful to a variety of audiences, including those who are interested in starting a new program, those already involved in running a program, and those who are evaluating or funding such programs. An introduction provides background information on the healthy marriage movement, challenges common to providing HMR services, and funding of HMR services. Chapter 2 provides…
Noncustodial fathers have an essential role to play--both financially and emotionally--in the lives of their children. However, of the 11 million noncustodial fathers in the US, two thirds do not pay any formal child support. Many of these fathers are poor themselves and face multiple barriers, including low education levels, limited work experience, and criminal records, which impede their success in the labor market as well as their ability to provide for their children.Working Dads: Final Report on the Fathers at Work Initiative presents findings from P/PV's evaluation of Fathers at…
This report discusses the difficulties faced by low-income parents following the break-up of a marriage, the establishment of the federal Access and Visitation program in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) legislation to address visitation issues following a divorce, and recommended reforms to the program. Suggested reforms include increasing available funding, dedicating funding to legal services providers, targeting resources, increasing community-based institution involvement. Information is provided on the millions of children living with a single parent, the benefits of…
