High Hopes but Even Higher Expectations: The Retreat From Marriage Among Low‐Income Couples

TLDR

The study investigates why low‑income, unmarried parents who intend to marry at birth fail to follow through. Using the Fragile Families survey and a qualitative study, the authors examine how financial and relational prerequisites delay marriage among low‑income parents. Results show that overstatement of intentions and perceived social and economic barriers, especially financial and relational prerequisites, cause a delayed or absent marriage.

Abstract

This study examines why low‐income, unmarried parents who say that they plan to marry at the time their child is born do not follow through on their plans. We use data from a nationally representative birth cohort survey—the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N = 3,710)—combined with data from an embedded qualitative study—Time, Love, Cash, Caring, and Children ( n = 47)—to explore the reasons behind this apparent discrepancy. We find that some of the difference between parents’ expectations and behavior may be because of the overstatement of intentions at the time of the birth. Most of the discrepancy, however, results from parents’ perceived social and economic barriers to marriage. Specifically, unmarried parents have a long list of financial and relationship prerequisites they believe must be met in order for them to wed. Combined with other factors, these standards lead to an indeterminate delay in marriage.