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Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study
Welfare reform brought changes in family dynamics and structure. We collected data for the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which addressed nonmarital childbearing, child development, family formation, the impact of welfare reform, and the role of fathers in low-income families across the nation. The study found that most unwed couples were romantically involved at the time their child was born and anticipated marrying each other. Most also agreed that it was better for children if their parents were married, and many felt that they themselves would be better off. Yet, they faced many obstacles to achieving healthy marriages.
By following this sample of unwed parents and their children from 1998 to 2007, the study looked at such questions as:
- What were the conditions and capabilities of new unwed parents, especially fathers?
- How many of these men held steady jobs?
- How many wanted to be involved in raising their children?
- What was the nature of the relationship between unwed parents?
- What factors pushed new unwed parents together, and what pulled them apart?
- What were the long-term consequences for parents, children, and society of new welfare regulations, stronger paternity establishment, and stricter child support enforcement?
To obtain baseline measures, we interviewed nearly 1,600 sets of parents of newborns in 13 cities between 1999 and 2000. Mothers were interviewed in the hospital after the birth of their babies; fathers were interviewed either in the hospital or at home. Follow-up interviews with nearly 5,000 sets of parents in 20 cities were conducted at 12, 36, and 60 months. We also completed in-home and child care provider observations in conjunction with the 36- and 60-month followups.
Several related studies used the data from Fragile Families to research the mechanisms by which poverty affects child health and development. These studies focused on such issues as household food insecurity and its relationship to mental health problems and obesity, child care, and the medical and obstetric history of mothers and newborns.
An issue brief from our Building Strong Families (BSF) project drew on Fragile Families survey data to detail the characteristics and relationship patterns of unwed parents. The findings are helping state and local agencies and other groups designing BSF programs gain a better understanding of how to reach their target population with strategies that enhance children's welfare by helping their parents build stronger relationships.