Brief What Do "I Do"s Do? Potential Benefits of Marriage for Cohabiting Couples with Children
Gregory Acs, Sandi Nelson
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Data from the 2002 National Survey of America's Families show that over 70 percent of the difference in poverty, low-income status, and food insecurity between children living with married and cohabiting couples can be attributed to differences in work status, education, age, and race/ethnicity of these couples. The remaining difference can be attributed to unmeasured family characteristics and the intrinsic benefits of marriage.
Research Areas Families Children and youth
Tags Economic well-being Family and household data Family structure Father involvement