558. The Facts Are In: Two Parents Are Better Than One

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Sep 21, 2023

Economist Melissa Kearney, a specialist in family economics and author of "The Two-Parent Privilege," challenges conventional views on parenting structures. She discusses the rising number of single-parent households in the U.S. and the economic impacts of family dynamics, especially on children's wellbeing. Joining her is Dylan Thuris, host of Atlas Obscura, who adds fascinating insights into historical communal living and shared parenting models, suggesting that collaborative care could redefine modern family dynamics and improve socio-economic conditions.

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ANECDOTE

Family Inspiration

Melissa Kearney's grandmother and her sisters had limited education, working as seamstresses in New York City.
This inspired Kearney's interest in the economic circumstances of women.

ANECDOTE

Welfare Mothers

During a college internship, Kearney taught welfare mothers basic skills.
She observed their resilience and humor despite their difficult circumstances.

INSIGHT

Racial Disparities in Family Structure

The rate of two-parent households varies significantly among racial groups, with Asian Americans having the highest rate.
This may be due to stronger social norms around marriage and divorce within Asian American communities.

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Walden Two

B.F. Skinner

Published in 1948, 'Walden Two' is a utopian novel written by B.F. Skinner. The story follows Professor Burris and two young men who visit a community called Walden Two, founded by T.E. Frazier. This community operates on principles of behavioral modification, where members are conditioned from an early age to be productive and happy. The community is egalitarian, with a minimal workday, no wages, and a focus on education, entertainment, and communal living. The novel discusses various intellectual topics such as behavioral modification, political ethics, and the common good, highlighting the experimental and adaptive nature of the community's social and economic structures[2][4][5].

The Two-Parent Privilege

Melissa Kearney

In this book, Melissa S. Kearney presents a provocative case for the economic benefits of marriage, highlighting how the decline of marriage has exacerbated economic and social inequalities in the US. Based on over a decade of economic research, Kearney argues that households with two married parents offer significant economic and non-economic benefits to both the parents and their children, particularly in terms of financial stability, educational outcomes, and social mobility. She emphasizes that the decline in marriage is more pronounced among lower socioeconomic groups, leading to a 'two-parent privilege' that advantages children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Kearney also discusses the underlying causes of the marriage decline, including changes in male wages and female labor market participation, and suggests policy implications to address these issues.

Everyday Utopia

Kristen R. Ghodsee

Is Marriage for White People?

How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone

Ralph Richard Banks

This book delves into the social and economic factors contributing to the decline in marriage among African Americans, focusing particularly on the experiences of black women. It explores the consequences of this trend, including its impact on family structures and societal norms. The author presents a paradoxical solution involving interracial marriage as a potential means to address the imbalance in marriage opportunities for black women.