Economics professor Melissa Kearney discusses her book on the decline of marriage in America, its impact on inequality, and controversial policy matters. Topics include the relationship between marriage, education, and income inequality, trends in marriage and their impact on children, and the surprising findings of a study on localized fracking booms and birth rates.
The decline in parents getting married has contributed to increased inequality and negatively impacted parents and children, particularly among adults without college degrees.
Marriage rates differ across social classes, with college-educated mothers more likely to be married, highlighting the connection between marriage and income inequality.
Deep dives
The Decline in Marriage and Rise in Single Parenthood
The podcast discusses the decline in marriage among parents and the corresponding increase in single parenthood. The speaker highlights that the decline in parents getting married is linked to a broader decline in marriage overall, especially among adults without college degrees. The share of children born to unmarried parents has increased significantly, with 40% of babies in the US now born to unmarried parents compared to 18% in 1980.
Marriage Disparity Among Different Groups
The podcast examines how marriage rates differ across various groups. The speaker emphasizes the connection between marriage and social class, particularly education. It is noted that college-educated mothers are more likely to be married, while moms without a college degree are more likely to be single parents. The disparity in marriage rates has major implications for income inequality and social mobility.
The Benefits of Marriage for Flourishing Families
The podcast explores the importance of marriage for overall family well-being. The speaker highlights the key resources provided by marriage, including financial stability, shared time and parental involvement, and emotional support. The advantages of having two parents in the household are evident in terms of higher income, increased parental time investment, and greater emotional bandwidth for effective parenting. These resources contribute to better outcomes for children in married-parent households.
Addressing the Challenges of Single Parenthood
The podcast addresses the challenges faced by single parents, primarily single mothers. It emphasizes the absence of a second parent and the lack of community support as common factors influencing single-parent households. The speaker advocates for addressing the situation by providing resources, support, and research to prevent harm and disruption within families. It is emphasized that focusing solely on improving the safety net is not enough, and efforts should be made to ensure equal access to the benefits of a stable two-parent family for all parents and children.
Melissa Kearney, a professor of economics at the University of Maryland joins Assistant Editor Luis Parrales to talk about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind. The two discuss the decline in married households over the past decades, how that decline has exacerbated inequality and negatively impacted parents and children, and why it’s so controversial to talk about marriage as a policy matter in the first place.