University of Maryland
Sociology 441: Stratification 

Family structure effects on stratification outcomes

How big an effect?

Is the family structure -> child outcome association truly causal?

Both may be results of some other cause

Is there association of single parenthood with lower child outcomes only because both are consequences of some prior cause? Single parenthood is not a random event but is caused by many things. Perhaps some of those things also cause lower child outcomes so that it may look like family disruption is causing low outcomes but that association is not truly cause and effect.

For instance, both family disruption and lower child outcomes might be a result of:


 
return to: Sociology 441 home page Sociology 441 schedule effects of family structure
Last updated September 18, 2002
comments to: Reeve Vanneman. reeve@umd.edu