Racial and Ethnic Differences in Fertility-Related Behavior and Intentions among Cohabitors
Open Access
- Author:
- Daniels, Kimberly
- Graduate Program:
- Sociology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 12, 2008
- Committee Members:
- Nancy S Landale, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Robert Schoen, Committee Member
Valarie Elizabeth King, Committee Member
Rukmalie Thalani Jayakody, Committee Member - Keywords:
- cohabitation
non-marital fertility
race/ethnicity - Abstract:
- Using data from the 1995 and 2002 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth this study examines potential racial and ethnic variation in the role of cohabitation in the U.S. family system compared to marriage and singlehood. Cohabitation represents an increasingly prevalent family form and prior research endeavors examine the position of cohabitation. Past research suggests examining the fertility behavior of cohabitors, such as fertility rates and reports of birth intentions, as one avenue for understanding the role of cohabitation. Researchers argue that greater acceptance of childbearing within cohabiting unions suggests more similarity to marriage than singlehood. In addition, existing studies in this area argue that cohabitation may not play the same role for individuals from different racial/ethnic backgrounds. This study looks at sexual frequency, contraceptive use, and current fertility intentions to investigate variation in the role of cohabitation for White, Black, and Mexican American men and women. Examining sexual frequency and contraceptive use sheds light on the potential factors behind documented race/ethnic differences in fertility rates among cohabitors. Looking at current fertility intentions uncovers variation in views on the acceptability of childbearing within cohabitation. Variation in attitudes associated with the second demographic transition is also examined in relation to differences in the role of cohabitation. The results reveal that variation in sexual frequency is not a factor in fertility differences across race/ethnic groups among cohabitors. However, contraceptive use patterns differ across race/ethnic groups among cohabitors. Cohabiting Black men and women are more likely than Whites to report not using any method of contraception. In addition, cohabiting Black women also report greater use of less effective methods compared to more effective methods of contraception relative to Whites. Cohabiting Black and Mexican American women are substantially more likely to report that they are not using contraception and seeking a pregnancy compared to cohabiting White women. This suggests greater acceptance of childbearing within cohabiting unions among non-White women and variation in the role of cohabitation across race/ethnic groups.