Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: American mothers of preschoolers are increasingly more likely to work (Casper 1997). While many studies have examined the effect of family care-giving responsibilities on maternal workforce participation, this literature has not fully addressed the trade-offs for parents of children with disability. Mothers of these children may face greater care-giving tasks, making them more likely to stay out of the paid labor market. At the same time, these families face increased financial burdens, encouraging labor force participation.

This paper will explore whether mothers have different workforce participation trajectories after the birth of a child with or without disability. The following analyses examine differences in the rate at which mothers re-enter the labor force after the birth of a child, as well as their exit from paid employment after a birth. Matched records from the 1993 National Health Interview Survey and the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth provide a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of child disability on the workforce participation of mothers using event history techniques.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Little is known about the connection between sexual involvement and relationship progression – whether into cohabiting or marital unions or as a component of relationships. This paper explores the tempo of transitions from sexual involvement to coresidential unions – both cohabitation and marriage – for American men and women in the early years of the 21st century. Data from Wave 6 of the NSFG enable us to examine the duration from sexual involvement to coresidential unions for American men and women. We distinguish between several relationship outcomes, including marriage preceded (or not) by cohabitation, cohabitation, as well as the continuation or disruption of non-coresidential sexual unions. In addition to serving as an indicator of exposure to the risk of childbearing, involvement in non-marital sexual activity reflects views regarding the importance of marriage, the role served by cohabitation, as well as perceived responsibilities towards sexual partners. Preliminary results for men indicate that transitions into cohabitation occur more rapidly than entrance directly into marriage; those who dissolve a dating relationship also transition more slowly than do those who enter informal cohabitations. The results shed light on the ways that sexual intimacy may contribute to growing inequality between family types.