The Effects of Welfare and Child Support Policies on Union Formation

Marcia Carlson, Columbia University
Irwin Garfinkel, Columbia University

This paper uses data from the Fragile Families survey to examine the relationship status of unwed parents at birth of their child and when their child is approximately 12 months old. The analyses examine the economic, social and psychological determinants of relationship status and changes in relationship status for white, black, and Hispanic families. We pay special attention to the effects of welfare and child support policies; labor market conditions; union stability; and instability.