Matthew McKeever

Reexamining the Economic Costs of Marital Disruption for Women

Objective. Changes in labor force participation and returns may have lessened divorces traditionally severe economic consequences for women. Method. We use recent data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) to analyze the economic well‐being of women whose marriages ended between the first and second waves of data collection. Results. Comparing pre‐ and postmarital median per capita income shows that marital disruption now has much more modest economic consequences for women than in years gone by. A multivariate analysis suggests that their higher postdivorce incomes can be primarily attributed to labor force participation and human capital. Conclusions. These findings suggest better life chances for divorcees and their children.

Disentangling the effects of correctional education: Are current policies misguided? An event history analysis

Correctional policies, such as the elimination of Pell Grants to prisoners, often limit inmate educational opportunities. Thus, examination of the possible negative consequences of such actions seems important. Though characterized by some inconsistency, previous research has suggested that post-secondary education within prison has the beneficial effect of reducing recidivism. What is missing is an explicit comparison of the effects of different types of correctional education programs, with a specific focus on discerning the relative effects of college versus non-college education. The present study addresses this issue through analysis of 972 Ohio inmates paroled or released from prison between 1989 and 1992. Our results suggest that college has a substantially stronger negative impact upon recidivism hazard rates than do other forms of correctional education (e.g. high school, GED, vocational education) and imply that, perhaps, the current policy regarding post-secondary correctional education programs is misguided.

Shifting Fortunes in a Changing Economy

Income losses resulting from marital disruption have traditionally contributed to high rates of poverty for single women. This paper explores trends in the economic consequences of divorce using data from the 1980–2001 Current Population Survey March Demographic Supplement. Divorce still adversely affects women’s incomes, but divorcees have achieved noticeable economic gains over the last twenty years. Newly developed econometric techniques reveal progress at all points of the income distribution; middle- and upper-class economic gains cannot be attributed to polarization within divorced women’s incomes. Multivariate analyses show that progress can largely be attributed to divorcees’ progress in the workforce and changing demographic attributes, rather than economic dependence on men, relatives, or income transfers. Finally, we explore the implications of these results for understanding stratification in contemporary America.

Over the Long Haul: The Persistent Economic Consequences of Single Motherhood

Purpose – This chapter examines change over time in income, human capital, and socio-demographic attributes for married, divorced, and never-married mothers Methodology/approach – The chapter consists of descriptive analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youths 1979 cohort. Respondents were followed from 1979 to 2006. Findings – The economic consequences of single motherhood are persistent. Women who have once been divorced or never-married mothers remain poorer through middle age, no matter how their family structure subsequently changes. Social implications – A critical feature of the modern economic and demographic landscape is the intersection of individual and family characteristics. Many divorced and, especially, never-married mothers experience profound disadvantage even before they become mothers. Single mothers in general are far less likely to have college degrees, and, in the case of never-married mothers less likely to even have a high school diploma. Never-married mothers are also much less likely to be employed. Single mothers have less educated parents, and are themselves more likely to come from nonintact families. All of these disadvantages contribute to the economic costs – and the economic stress – of single motherhood. Originality/value of paper – The chapter demonstrates that single mothers comprise two very different populations, divorced and never-married mothers. However, both are at a substantial disadvantage compared to married mothers.