Racial Differences in the Effect of Marriageable Males on Female Family Headship

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Economics
• Demography

Background:

• Female family headship is linked to persistent poverty in the U.S.
• Previous research focused on welfare incentives, overlooking other factors.
• Understanding the drivers of never-married female family headship is crucial for poverty reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of male marriageability in never-married female family headship.
• To analyze racial differences in this relationship from 1980 to 2010.
• To challenge existing literature by emphasizing male supply over welfare effects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized IPUMS-USA data (N = 4,958,722) for comprehensive analysis.
• Employed state-level sentencing reforms for exogenous variation.
• Conducted a longitudinal study spanning three decades (1980-2010).

Main Results:

• A decline in the relative supply of marriageable males significantly increased never-married female family headship among Black populations.
• This effect was not observed for White populations.
• Results indicate a racial disparity in the impact of male marriageability on family structure.

Conclusions:

• Male marriageability is a significant predictor of never-married female family headship, especially for Black women.
• Policy and social interventions should consider the availability of marriageable men.
• Findings offer a new perspective on the socio-economic factors contributing to poverty.