Showing papers by "Richard A. Easterlin published in 1989"

The effect of life cycle demographic decisions on the economic status of pre-school age children 1964-1987.

Abstract: The effect of changing demographic circumstances on the economic status of US pre-school children is examined using Current Population Survey data from 1965-1985 and 1988 in a multivariate regression analysis At any time point children living with single mothers are 25-30% poorer and those living with single fathers 12% poorer Doubling up of a single parent with parents or other adults improves the childs income about 50% Smaller family size improves the childs economic status by 7-11% per child Having a family head over 30 improves income by 30% compared to one under 25 Having another working spouse benefits a child by 50% or 4-19% for part-time work Trends over the period were evident: increasing proportion of pre-schoolers not living with 2 parents rose from 8-25%; proportion of those whose mother was never-married approached that of ever-married mothers by 1987; single parents living with other adults increased; proportion of young children living with only 1 other child rose from 25-60% Between 1965 and 1970 there was a trend toward younger 2-parent households but by 1965-1988 a family head over 30 rose from 45-60% Childrens mean income per adult equivalent rose 42% between 1964 and 1987 but most of this growth took place by 1974 The biggest effect on improved income was due to smaller family size and less so later childbearing The next most important factor was a working spouse Children of never-married mothers were disadvantaged because of mothers average work experience education race and industry The average status of young children has improved over the 20-year period while childrens poverty rates have risen due to growing share of those living with lower income single mothers