Relationship Trajectories of Cohabiting Parents in the Fragile Families Study: The Role of Gender Conflict in Explaining Racial and Ethnic Differences

Kristen Harknett, Princeton University
Sara McLanahan, Princeton University

Using emerging data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study, our paper analyzes the union transitions (to marriage or breaking up) of unmarried, cohabiting couples, who have just had a baby together. Black couples were much more likely to break up within one year of their baby's birth and much less likely to marry, compared with white and Hispanic couples. Taking advantage of the availability of data on couples in this study, our focus is on the role gender conflict plays in racial and ethnic differences in union transitions. Based on prior research, we expect black women to place a greater emphasis on the role of the male breadwinner compared with white and Hispanic women. We expect the gap between expectations and capacities to help explain racial and ethnic differences in relationship trajectories.