1. Father Involvement and the Transition to Multiple Partner Fertility among Unmarried Nonresident Fathers Mindy E. Scott www.childtrends.orgwww.childtrends.org  Twitter/childtrends  www.facebook.com/childtrends:Twitter/childtrendswww.facebook.com/childtrends March 18, 2014 Research funded by NICHD through Grant #1R03HD061633-01A1 - Relationships with Nonresident Fathers and Offspring Well-being during the Early Adult Years and Grant # 1 P01 HD04561-01A1 - Subsequent Fatherhood: Timing and Circumstances

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3. Background In the US, trends in marriage, divorce, and cohabitation have contributed to increasing rates of nonresident fatherhood AND multiple partner fertility Definitions: – Nonresident fatherhood: Biological fathers not living in the same household with their children (based on physical custody) – Multiple partner fertility (MPF) : The process of having biological children with more than one partner

4. Background – Demographic Trends Source: CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System

5. Background – Demographic Trends In 1950, 4% of children born to unmarried parents, compared to 41% in 2010 (Source: Vital Statistics) Almost 1/5 of all births, and 52% of nonmarital births occur to cohabiting couples (Source: ECLS-B, 2001) 13% of men have experienced MPF, 23% of fathers with 2 or more children (Source: Guzzo, 2013; NSFG 2006-2010 estimates)

6. Background – Nonresident Fathers 2009 Census data also show that one out of three children in the US (24 million) are not living with their biological father – Family structures in which children live apart from their biological fathers can negatively affect a range of outcomes for children – However, the continued presence and involvement of nonresident fathers can reduce some of these negative outcomes – A large proportion of unmarried, nonresident fathers hope to play an active and involved role in their children’s lives, despite barriers

7. Background – Consequences of men’s multiple partner fertility Emerging body of research focusing on the consequences of MPF – For children: Problem behaviors Physical health – For fathers: Father involvement Co-parenting Psychological well-being

8. Current Study Advancing research on patterns of nonresident fatherhood and on the predictors of men’s MPF Limited research focused on how men’s commitment to and involvement with a first child influences subsequent relationship and union formation and fertility Examining multiple dimensions of nonresident father involvement: – Accessibility – Responsibility – Engagement/Interaction – Prenatal involvement

9. Theoretical Perspectives Competing obligations (Furstenberg & Cherlin, 1991) Resource dilution (Blake, 1981; Downey, 2001) Paternal identity theory (Marsiglio, 1998; Pleck, 1997)

10. Research Questions How are young, unmarried, nonresident first- time fathers involved with their children? Are these patterns of involvement associated with fathers’ transition to MPF?

11. Data National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) – Youth, ages 12-16 in 1997, longitudinal data (1997-2008) The NLSY97 includes 1,596 men who became fathers between Rounds 2 and 11. Sample restricted to 534 men who were unmarried and nonresident at the time of their first biological child’s birth or at the round the birth was first reported

12. Key Measures Multiple Partner Fertility – Subsequent birth with a new partner Nonresident Father Involvement (reported within the first 2 years of the birth) – Accessibility (paternity establishment, custody agreement) – Responsibility (child support) – Engagement/Interaction (activities with child) – Prenatal involvement (at hospital at birth, go to Dr’s appointment with mom)

13. Results Characteristics of all first-time fathers and unmarried, nonresident fathers in the NLSY97 First-time fathers Unmarried, nonresident first-time fathers Average age at first birth21.619.9 Union status at first birth Married31%-- Cohabiting31%14% Outside a union39%86% Had any subsequent birth40%48% Had a subsequent birth with a new partner14%29% Lived with first child69%-- N=1596534

14. Results – Nonresident Father Involvement

20. Results – Percent of nonresident fathers experiencing MPF, by type of child support agreement

21. Results – Percent of nonresident fathers experiencing MPF, by amount of child support paid

22. Conclusions Men with a formal child support agreements may have greater resources than other nonresident fathers, which makes them more likely to have to pay child support, but also may make them more attractive to new partners These results support a pro-father identity model that suggests that more involved fathers (in terms of responsibility) may be motivated to have additional children However, parents who were never married have the lowest rates of child support agreements. Young, unmarried, nonresident first- time fathers who are able to pay child support and have a court- ordered agreement may be a rare population

23. Implications for Policy and Practice Much of the policy debate around MPF focuses on child support policies, child support enforcement and marriage promotion policies – Policy makers need to consider who is most likely to pay child support and which characteristics influence men’s likelihood of MPF – Understanding men’s commitment to both nonresident and coresident children will inform policies that aim to strengthen the stability of parental relationships, but also encourage and support men’s continued involvement with previous children

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25. Mindy Scott mscott@childtrends.org 240-223-9324 mscott@childtrends.org www.childtrends.org Twitter/childtrends www.facebook.com/childtrends