TY  - JOUR
A1  - Brons, Anne
A1  - Liefbroer, Aart C.
A1  - Ganzeboom, Harry B.G.
T1  - Parental socioeconomic status and the timing of first marriage: What is the role of unmarried cohabitation? Results from a cross-national comparison
Y1  - 2021/08/03
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 469
EP  - 516
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2021.45.15
VL  - 45
IS  - 15
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol45/15/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol45/15/45-15.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol45/15/45-15.pdf
L3  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol45/15/files/readme.45-15.txt
L3  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol45/15/files/demographic-research.45-15.zip
N2  - Background: Previous research has shown that individuals from high-status families enter marriage later than those from low-status families. However, in many Western societies, it has become common to cohabit prior to marriage. Does this change the link between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and marriage timing? 

Objective: This study examines to what extent the impact of parental SES on the timing of first marriage weakens after young adults start a cohabiting union. It also examines cross-national variation in the link between parental SES and marriage timing before and after young adults cohabit and whether this variation depends on countries’ position in the cohabitation transition. 

Methods: We apply discrete-time hazard models and meta-analytical tools using data from 20 Western countries. To examine whether the cohabitation stage of countries explains country differences, we construct a four-stage cohabitation typology. 

Results: In most countries, higher parental SES results in later entry into marriage. The impact of parental SES on marriage timing weakens considerably after young adults entered a cohabiting union. Substantial cross-national variation is found in the strength of the link between parental SES and marriage timing. However, this variation cannot be explained by the cohabitation stage countries are in. 

Contribution: First, this study provides fresh evidence of the influence of parental SES on family formation in Western countries. Second, it shows the importance of a life-course perspective, as parental SES matters less after young adults start a cohabiting union. Third, it presents a theory-based and empirically-tested typology of stages in the cohabitation transition. 

ER  -