|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
The Transition to Parenthood and Marital Quality
LYNN K. WHITE
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
ALAN BOOTH
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
An extensive literature demonstrates a negative correlation between the presence of children and marital quality. Few of these studies are designed to test the reasons for this relationship. Using a national panel study, we examine two possible paths: that people who choose to have children differ from those who do not in ways that affect marital quality, and that having a child changes marital structure and process. The results of the analysis support neither hypothesis. Although marital quality deteriorated over the three-year period, the transition to parenthood does not seem to affect changes in marital happiness, interaction, disagreements, division of labor, satisfaction with division of labor, or number of marital problems. Having a child did, however, seem to deter divorce and permanent separation.
Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 6, No. 4,
435-449 (1985)
DOI: 10.1177/019251385006004003
 CiteULike  Complore  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
P. Holley, S. Yabiku, and M. Benin
The Relationship Between Intelligence and Divorce
Journal of Family Issues,
December 1, 2006;
27(12):
1723 - 1748.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Davey and M. E. Szinovacz
Dimensions of Marital Quality and Retirement
Journal of Family Issues,
May 1, 2004;
25(4):
431 - 464.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. Brown
Relationship Quality Dynamics of Cohabiting Unions
Journal of Family Issues,
July 1, 2003;
24(5):
583 - 601.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. B. SKINNER, S. J. BAHR, D. R. CRANE, and V. R. A. CALL
Cohabitation, Marriage, and Remarriage: A Comparison of Relationship Quality Over Time
Journal of Family Issues,
January 1, 2002;
23(1):
74 - 90.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. BROWN
Fertility Following Marital Dissolution: The Role of Cohabitation
Journal of Family Issues,
May 1, 2000;
21(4):
501 - 524.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. A. Denham
Part 2: Family Health During and After Death of a Family Member
Journal of Family Nursing,
May 1, 1999;
5(2):
160 - 183.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. L. Eddy and A. J. Walker
The Impact of Children With Chronic Health Problems on Marriage
Journal of Family Nursing,
February 1, 1999;
5(1):
10 - 32.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. S. Tomlinson
Marital Relationship Change in the Transition to Parenthood: A Reexamination as Interpreted through Transition Theory
Journal of Family Nursing,
August 1, 1996;
2(3):
286 - 305.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. W. Crawford and T. L. Huston
The Impact of the Transition to Parenthood on Marital Leisure
Pers Soc Psychol Bull,
February 1, 1993;
19(1):
39 - 46.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. K. WHITE and A. BOOTH
Divorce Over the Life Course: The Role of Marital Happiness
Journal of Family Issues,
March 1, 1991;
12(1):
5 - 21.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. GOLDSTEEN and C. E. ROSS
The Perceived Burden of Children
Journal of Family Issues,
December 1, 1989;
10(4):
504 - 526.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. F. PITTMAN, C. A. WRIGHT, and S. A. LLOYD
Predicting Parenting Difficulty
Journal of Family Issues,
June 1, 1989;
10(2):
267 - 286.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. W. Smith, O. Weeks, P. Wozniak, P. Kain Knaub, L. F. Little, and P. S. Draughn
Marital Adjustment in Farm Couples Across the Family Life Cycle
Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal,
September 1, 1988;
17(1):
77 - 85.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. T. ORTEGA, H. P. WHITT, and J. A. WILLIAM Jr.
Religious Homogamy and Marital Happiness
Journal of Family Issues,
June 1, 1988;
9(2):
224 - 239.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
