Center for Marriage and Families

Divorce, Dads, and the Well-Being of Children: Answering Common Research Questions

Brief 12, July 2008

Divorce is a powerful force in contemporary American family life. Current estimates suggest that between 43 and 50 percent of first-time marriages will end in divorce. Consequently, more than one million U.S. children experience parental divorce each year. The growing number of divorces has profound implications for children, mothers, fathers, and society. The consequences of these family changes for children and society are hotly debated. To bring clarity to this debate, this brief reviews current research about divorce and its consequences for children.
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Is Religion an Answer? Marriage, Fatherhood, and the Male Problematic

Brief 11, June 2008

This brief provides an array of evidence indicating that religion is an answer to the male problematic—that is, the tendency of fathers to become detached, emotionally or physically, from their children and the mothers of their children. The author finds that fathers who are religious, and who have partners who are religious, are—on average—more likely to be happily married, to be engaged and affectionate parents, and to get and stay married to the mothers of their children.
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The Benefits of Marriage for African American Men

Brief 10, Future of the Black Family Series, May 2008

This brief surveys the research on the effects of family structure on African American men and finds overwhelming evidence that getting and staying married has a significant beneficial effect on black men’s well-being.
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The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce: First-Ever Estimates for the Nation and for All Fifty States

Report, April 2008

In first-ever research, this report quantifies a minimum $112 billion annual taxpayer cost from high rates of divorce and unmarried childbearing. It identifies national, state and local costs which account for more than $1 trillion in the last decade.
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For A New Revisionism: Scholarship on the Black Family since the Moynihan Report

Brief 9, Future of the Black Family Series, March 2008

The decline of marriage among African Americans has been one of the most dramatic social changes in recent history. Since 1965, scholars have taken two distinct positions on why this is so. The authors argue that both schools of thought are flawed, and call for a “new revisionism” in the field of African American family studies.
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The Shift and the Denial: Scholarly Attitudes toward Family Change, 1977-2002

Brief 8, February 2008

Many Americans have been questioning the importance of marriage, and the rift among scholars has allowed both progressives and traditionalists to claim that the experts are on their side. Over the past 20 years, have leading scholars reached a consensus on marriage?
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Protectors or Perpetrators? Fathers, Mothers, and Child Abuse and Neglect

Brief 7, January 2008

This research brief explores what role fathers play in perpetrating or protecting their children from child neglect and abuse, and it explores the social, emotional, and economic factors associated with paternal abuse and neglect.
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Hardwired to Connect: The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities

DVD, 2007

An informational DVD summarizing the findings of the Institute’s report, “Hardwired to Connect.” Copies are free while supplies last.
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Baby Fathers and American Family Formation

Essay, Future of the Black Family Series, August 2007

How do we help low-income, never-married parents stay together and avoid breaking up? Read how the “daddy moment” offers a potentially rich opportunity for researchers, policy makers, and other social and civic leaders to help the couple deal with tensions and issues arising from their shared parenting roles and possibly imagine marriage to one another.
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Responding to the Black Marriage Crisis: A New Vision for Change

Brief 6, Future of the Black Family Series, May 2007

This research brief lays out a positive vision and tangible steps that will help us create a new, healthy Black marriage culture in America.
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Religion, Race, and Relationships in Urban America

Brief 5, Future of the Black Family Series, May 2007

This brief is the first published research on the link between religiosity and relationship quality among unmarried couples in fragile families.
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The Health of an Institution: A United States Marriage Index

Fact Sheet, March 2007

View the proposed U.S. Marriage Index. It currently covers the years 1970 to 2000 and can be updated as more data becomes available.
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Marriage and Mental Health in Adults and Children

Brief 4, February 2007

Research strongly supports the idea that marriage matters for women�s, men�s, and children�s mental health.
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The Other Marriage Penalty: A New Proposal to Eliminate the Marriage Penalty for Low-Income Americans

Brief 3, Future of the Black Family Series, November 2006

Our welfare system frequently cuts benefits to low-income couples that decide to marry. Read more about the problem and a new proposal to fix it.
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Marriage and the Well-Being of African American Boys

Brief 2, Future of the Black Family Series, November 2006

African American boys tend to receive more support and have better outcomes–including greater self-esteem and reduced likelihood of delinquency–when they live with married parents.
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The Revolution in Parenthood: The Emerging Global Clash Between Adult Rights and Children’s Needs

Report, September 2006

Around the world, the two-person, mother-father model of parenthood is being fundamentally challenged. Read how.
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Marriage and the Law: A Statement of Principles

Report, September 2006

100 family and legal scholars come together to critique current family law practices, affirm seven great truths about marriage and the law, and to offer three general insights that can be applied to a legal theory that is more respectful toward and supportive of marriage as a social institution.
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Between Two Worlds: The Spiritual Lives of Children of Divorce

DVD, 2007

A 30 minute documentary narrated by author Elizabeth Marquardt and based on her book, Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce. It features interviews with seven grown children of divorce talking about faith, family of origin, and marriage hopes and fears. Read more

What is America’s Most Serious Social Problem?

Fact Sheet, February 2006

Learn why the decline of marriage is so serious for our nation.
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The Scholarly Consensus on Marriage

Fact Sheet, February 2006

There’s a new consensus that marriage matters. Read select quotes from leading scholars and commentators.
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Family Structure and Children’s Educational Outcomes

Brief 1, November 2005

Family structure–whether a child�s parents are married, divorced, single, remarried, or cohabiting–is a significant influence on children�s educational performance.
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Why Marriage Matters, Second Edition: Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences

Report, September 2005

Sixteen social scientists summarize marriage-related research into an extremely useful, succinct form.
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The Consequences of Marriage for African Americans: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Report, Future of the Black Family Series, September 2005

Scholars still lack a comprehensive understanding of the consequences of marriage for African Americans. This report seeks to close that knowledge gap.
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The Future of Family Law: Law and the Marriage Crisis in North America

Report, June 2005

Family law is heading in one or more of at least four troubling directions. Read why.
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The Motherhood Study: Fresh Insights on Mothers’ Attitudes and Concerns

Report, May 2005

Mothers express their beliefs and concerns about mothering and their thoughts about social change.
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