The institutionalization and pace of fertility in American stepfamilies

Abstract

This paper compares nonparametric rates for American women in stepfamilies and intact families using data from the June 1995 Current Population Survey. Results show that childbearing behaviors in stepfamilies resemble those in intact families. Regardless of stepfamily status timings and levels of for second and third marital births are identical for all women at the same lifetime parity. Fertility patterns are also similar for all first marital births with the exception of a constant three-year difference in the pace of and a fertility penalty for stepfamily women. These findings are consistent with (1) the institutionalization hypothesis of stepfamily processes; (2) the hypothesis that lifetime parity is the primary determinant of female fertility; and (3) a speculation that women in stepfamilies attempt to catch up on lost outside of marriage. These findings also imply that increasing prevalence of stepfamilies will not lead to increased completed fertility. (authors)