Fragile Families and the Marriage Agenda [Paperback]

This book explores issues related to fragile families from many different perspectives, looking particularly at the causes and consequences of this issue. Some social sciences contend that marriage is the solution to many of the problems associated with single-parent families. This book is divided into sections covering legal and theoretical perspectives, causes and consequences of offspring wellbeing, and the aspect of fathers importance to fragile families.

Many people see government involvement in family policy as a response to popular concerns that the American family is in a state of crisis. One of the primary concerns with fragile families (one parent  usually mother) is economic: Poverty rates for single mothers are several times that of two-parent families. Economic deprivation while growing up has been linked to poor physical health, reduced intellectual ability and academic achievement.

Some social sciences contend that marriage is the solution to many of the problems associated with single-parent families. Other experts believe that government programs designed to raise marriage rates may cause more problems than they solve (i.e. domestic violence, divorce, etc.).

The proposed volume will explore issues related to fragile families from many different perspectives on the causes and consequences of this issue. This book is divided up into sections covering legal and theoretical perspectives, causes and consequences of offspring wellbeing, and the aspect of fathers importance to the fragile families.

Fragile Families and the Marriage Agenda.- Marrying for America.- Teen Childbearing and Public Policy.- Fragile Families and Family Law.- Family Structure and Child Well-Being.- Shifting Fortunes in a Changing Economy.- Family Structure and Adolescent Labor Market Participation.- Maybe Someday.- Fatherhood as a Transformative Process.

Many people see government involvement ilS: