Divorce is costly for parents because of the challenges of meeting children's economic and socioemotional needs after separation. Using the National Survey of Families and Households (N = 1,935), we investigate whether expected economic and parenting costs deter divorce. Mothers expect higher economic costs than fathers, whereas fathers expect…

Examined potential impact of nonresponse on information about paternal involvement after separation by comparing sample of mothers whose children had nonresident father to sample of nonresident fathers in National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Findings suggest that the NSFH underrepresents nonresident fathers and that women orchestrate…

Explores variation between first marriages and remarriages in the incidence of spouse abuse. Experiences of individuals prior to remarriage account for higher rates of spouse abuse in remarried families, regardless of complexity, than in intact, never-divorced families. (Author/ABL)

This paper reviews some of the principal methodological issues that arise in studying nonresident fathers using surveys, including sample frame, survey participation, and response error. The review focuses on issues involving divorced families. Results are highlighted from analyses of important national data sets and of local data sets that…

We use data from a sample of divorced parents in Wisconsin (N=1,392) to examine how parents describe their children's living arrangements. When the children spend substantial time in both parents homes, both parents are less likely to use the phrase live with to describe living arrangements. When children spend most nights with their mother,…

Investigated frequency of contact between children and biological parents who were separated. Used data from 1981 national survey to examine effects of living arrangements and other family characteristics on cross-household ties between children and parents. Found frequent contact occurring for children who had recently lived with absent parent…

Investigated social and demographic determinants of frequency of noncustodial father visits with children, amount of noncustodial father-child support, and association between visiting and paying support. Surveyed divorced custodial mothers (N=180). Found more frequent visitation and greater child support among fathers with higher education and…

Uses lifetime perspective on family socialization as framework for understanding effects of divorce and remarriage on family violence. Identifies three family socialization experiences (family of origin, family in transition, and current family) that shape behavior. Recommends extending framework to investigate other family transitions and…

Used data from 1987-88 National Survey of Families to describe components of nonresident fathers' involvement and participation in childrearing decisions. Data suggest stability in definition of father role after separation when family characteristics were controlled. For most children born outside of marriage or whose parents divorced, father…