Used data from seven national surveys (N=7,994) for a descriptive study of the relationship of social and demographic variables to marital dissolution. Of the 10 correlates, the strongest were race, age at first marriage, and frequency of attendance of religious services. Socioeconomic variables were relatively weak correlates. (JAC)

Documents the changes since 1940 in the proportion of persons 18 to 29 years of age living with their parents and presents selected demographic characteristics of young adults living in their parental homes in 1980. (Author/ABL)

Used vital statistics data and census data to examine impact of women's marriage opportunities on family formation and dissolution. Linked measures of quantity/quality of potential spouses specific for woman's age, race, education, and area of residence to marriage, divorce, and nonmarital fertility rates. Greater marriage opportunities appear to…

Traces family demography development in United States, summarizing findings from research since 1940. Focuses on family life cycle, historical trends, intermarriages, socioeconomic status and family stability, the marriage squeeze, international trends in marriage, health issues, cohabitation, one-parent families, gender issues, divorce, and…

The "frontier atmosphere" explanation of high divorce rates in western areas of the United States was partially vindicated when comparisons were made between divorce rates in states having high migration rates and lower social costs with those states having low migration rates and higher social costs. (Author/CG)

Research on family and household units based on population data in historical and contemporary demography is briefly reviewed, and three reasons are given for the growing interest in the study of such units. (Author)

Used the 1980 Current Population Survey to highlight differentials in life-course events of American women born during the first half of the 20th century. Results indicated blacks have greater variation than whites around nearly all life-course events studied, but the overall level of variation among both blacks and whites has been declining…

Used data from National Survey of Families and Households to investigate effects of individual characteristics, parental background, and childhood living arrangements on adults' attitudes toward marriage, divorce, and nonmarital childbearing. Strongest predictors were age, sex, and marital status, with older persons, men, and married persons…

Used structural equation techniques to evaluate model predicting children's (n=1,742) developmental status, taking into consideration demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of mother and her household, characteristics of child at birth, and quality of home environment. Children's developmental status was related strongly and positively to…

Results show: (1) demographic characteristics of those spouses where both were enrolled in school would significantly differ from the demographic characteristics of those spouses where the husband only was enrolled; (2) marital adjustment scores of the two groups would differ significantly; and (3) variables related to the marital adjustment of…

Used data from the 1980 Current Population Survey to contrast married and unmarried couples living together. Profiles social and economic characteristics of couples, as well as the joint age, racial, educational, employment, and marital-status characteristics of married and unmarried partners. (Author/JAC)

Reviews work from 1980s on causes of divorce, focusing on findings under the headings of macrostructure, demographics and the life course, and family process. Also reviews trends in methods, samples, and theory. Notes growing body of conclusive empirical findings in areas of demographics and life course factors; need for more work in areas of…

Draws from U.S. Census data to review family trends of past 30 years. Appraises evidence for family decline in three areas: demographic, institutional, and cultural. Argues that families have lost functions, power, and authority; that familism as cultural value has diminished; and that people have become less willing to invest time, money, and…

Conducted telephone interviews with 320 pet owners and 116 nonowners. Found sociodemographic differences between groups. Remarried people, families with children, and families in middle stages of life cycle were most likely to have pets. Widows, empty-nesters, families with infants, and those with annual incomes of $8,000 or less were least likely…

Examined data from nationally representative survey of Blacks. Found that both marital and parental status had important impact on levels of satisfaction. Blacks who were divorced or separated had lower levels of satisfaction than did married respondents. Important interactions were also found. (Author/NB)