Revealing the Impact of Two-Parent Households on Children’s Well-Being
The highly anticipated economics book of the year challenges a common misconception: that having married parents is beneficial for children. At first, this argument may seem like a joke, as it is widely acknowledged that children thrive in a stable environment with two involved parents. However, economics expert Melissa Kearney argues in her recent release, “The Two-Parent Privilege,” that academics studying poverty, mobility, and family structures have overlooked this self-evident truth. The rise of single-parent households in America has exacerbated inequality and led to alarming rates of child poverty.
Melissa Kearney: Shedding Light on an Overlooked Driver of Inequality
Kearney, an economist at the University of Maryland, presents an abundance of evidence on the increase in single parenthood and its detrimental effects on lower-income children over the past four decades. Contrary to popular belief, her research demonstrates that marriage itself plays a crucial role in children’s well-being, rather than simply being a reflection of factors like wealth and education.
While the left-leaning readers have recognized the importance of this issue, with many scholars from the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute praising the book, the question remains: what can we do with this information? Kearney’s work sheds light on a significant yet uncomfortable topic, but finding practical solutions is a challenge.
Kearney herself is a product of a two-parent home, and her three teenagers also benefit from such an environment. Her father worked odd jobs while her mother was a secretary and schoolteacher. Despite limited financial resources, Kearney succeeded academically and pursued a career in economics. Her intellectual curiosity and desire to find answers have been praised by her co-author, economist Phillip Levine.
Research on Family Planning and Structures
Kearney’s research delves into various aspects of family planning and structures. For example, she examines how the MTV show “16 and Pregnant” impacted teen pregnancies (it reduced them), the reasons behind the declining birth rate in the United States (linked to shifting priorities among women), and the correlation between a man’s income and his likelihood of marriage (no significant effect). Kearney’s findings indicate that the rise of single parenthood is a crucial but often overlooked social phenomenon contributing to the country’s low mobility rates and high poverty levels.
Marriage rates have declined across the board since the 1980s, particularly among individuals without a college degree. Over the past 40 years, the percentage of children living in two-parent homes dropped from 90 percent to 84 percent among those whose mother had a bachelor’s degree. For children whose mothers did not complete high school, the figure fell from 80 percent to 57 percent.
The Impact of Single Parenthood on Income and Child Poverty
Single-parent households typically have lower incomes, as they rely on a single earner. In contrast, two-parent households offer the potential of dual incomes. Most single parents fall into the lower end of the earnings spectrum, with single mothers earning an average of $32,586 per year. Census data reveals that approximately 29 percent of single parents live below the poverty line. In comparison, married couples have an average income of $101,560. Single parenthood is a major contributing factor to child poverty rates in a wealthy country like the United States.
In response to criticisms suggesting that the issue is primarily rooted in income disparities rather than marriage, Kearney emphasizes the economic benefits of having two parents in the household. While children with two parents earning a combined $55,000 per year may have similar outcomes to those with a single parent earning the same amount, the child in the single-parent household would benefit economically from the presence of a second earner. However, no one is proposing that the government provide financial compensation to single parents for the absence of a second earner.
The Importance of Parental Involvement and its Impact on Boys
Financial considerations aside, single parents also face challenges in terms of the time they can dedicate to their children. They often have fewer hours available to read, talk, and play with their kids compared to parents who share responsibilities. Single parents are generally stretched thin. Kearney clarifies that this is not meant to stigmatize single parents or minimize their remarkable efforts in raising children. Many children raised by single parents succeed, as evident in the examples of two out of the past three Democratic presidents. However, parenting is undeniably challenging, and doing it alone compounds the difficulties, as reflected in the aggregate statistics.
Boys, in particular, face unique struggles. Kearney notes that girls tend to internalize their challenges more, but boys experience issues that impact their educational performance, progress, and ultimately, their economic outcomes. On the whole, children raised by a single parent are less likely to obtain a college degree, earn less, have a higher likelihood of living in poverty, and are more prone to becoming single parents themselves.
The Decline of Marriage: Cultural and Economic Factors
The decline in marriage rates is influenced by cultural factors that are challenging to quantify, as well as easily quantifiable economic factors. Men without a college degree have experienced not only stagnant but declining real wages. Meanwhile, women have become more likely than men to pursue higher education, and their incomes have risen regardless of their educational attainment. Economist Na’ama Shenhav’s research reveals that a 10 percent increase in women’s wages relative to men’s wages leads to a three-percentage-point rise in the share of never-married women and a two-percentage-point increase in the share of divorced women.
Women find themselves going it alone not by choice, but due to the lack of suitable partners. Women tend to prefer dating men who earn more than them, while men typically seek partners who earn less. The increasing success of women and the challenges faced by men have created a “marriageability gap.” Surveys indicate that the majority of women desire marriage, even among young people. However, they struggle to find partners with steady jobs who match their aspirations and values, leading them to become single parents.
Addressing the Challenge
Kearney concludes her book by clarifying that she does not blame single mothers, undermine the impact of racial bias, advocate for mandatory marriage, or dismiss nonresident fathers. She stresses that family dynamics are personal matters. However, the reality remains that the way families function plays a significant role in societal outcomes. How to address this issue, given its complexity and sensitivity, is a question that remains open for debate.
Enhancing the well-being of children raised in single-parent households, reducing child poverty rates, and promoting educational attainment require a multifaceted approach that goes beyond simply addressing income disparities. Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, fostering economic opportunities for all, and providing support and resources for single parents are potential avenues for creating positive change.
Conservative…+
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