@article{171221,
  author = {Laura Tach and Ronald Mincy and Kathryn Edin},
  title = {Parenting as a Package Deal: Child Involvement among Unmarried Fathers},
  abstract = { Fatherhood has traditionally been viewed as part of a {\textquotedblleft}package deal{\textquotedblright} in which a father{\textquoteright}s relationship with his child is contingent on his relationship with the mother. We evaluate the accuracy of this hypothesis in light of the high rates of multiple-partner fertility among unmarried parents using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a recent longitudinal survey of nonmarital births in large cities. We examine whether unmarried mothers{\textquoteright} and fathers{\textquoteright} subsequent relationship and parenting transitions are associated with declines in fathers{\textquoteright} contact with their nonresident biological children. We find that father involvement drops sharply after relationships between unmarried parents end. Mothers{\textquoteright} transitions into new romantic partnerships and new parenting roles are associated with larger declines in involvement than fathers{\textquoteright} transitions. Declines in fathers{\textquoteright} involvement following a mother{\textquoteright}s relationship or parenting transition are largest when children are young. We discuss the implications of our results for the well-being of nonmarital children and the quality of nonmarital relationships faced with high levels of relationship instability and multiple-partner fertiliy. },
  year = {2009},
  journal = {Demography},
  volume = {47},
  pages = {181-204},
  language = {eng},
}