Publications.
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My research seeks to better understand and reduce family inequality, focusing on how various social institutions and policies may contribute to and/or help to reduce family inequality. Within this general focus, my work has largely centered on three key research themes: parental leave, fatherhood, and religion and family life.
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Parental Leave
One of my current research emphases has been to examine parental leave as a key social policy that may help to reduce gender inequality and promote family well-being by enabling parents to more effectively balance work and family life. Example publications in this area are:
Gendered Parental Leave Policies among Fortune 500 Companies
Due to the lack of a federal paid parental leave policy in the United States, access to leave for most US workers is dependent on whether their employer offers paid leave. Our research explores employer-based access to parental leave among Fortune 500 companies. We develop a classification of leave policies based on how policies differ for mothers and fathers: gender equal (equal periods of leave to mothers and fathers), gender modified (equal leave of 6 or more weeks with an additional 6–8 weeks for mothers), gender unequal (mothers offered 2 or more times longer leave than fathers), and gender-neutral gendering (policies that offer primary and secondary caregiver leave). We find that 72% of companies offer some paid parental leave, and the majority of Fortune 500 companies have paid parental leave policies that offer substantially more leave to mothers than to fathers. We also find that technology companies, larger companies, and companies headquartered in a state with paid family leave are more likely to offer paid parental leave. This research provides insight into the degree to which employer policies may contribute to gender inequality and has implications for employer-mediated inequalities in access to parental leave.
If I [Take] Leave, Will You Stay? Paternity Leave and Relationship Stability
Recent European studies suggest that fathers’ leave-taking may contribute to parental relationship stability. Paternity leave-taking may signal a commitment by fathers toward a greater investment in family life, which may reduce the burden on mothers and strengthen parental relationships. This study uses longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) to analyze the association between paternity leave-taking and relationship stability in the United States. Results indicate that paternity leave-taking, and taking relatively short leaves (i.e. two weeks or less) in particular, is associated with greater relationship stability. These findings increase our understanding of the potential benefits of paternity leave, and can inform policy decisions that aim to increase family stability.
Fathers’ Paternity Leave-Taking and Children’s Perceptions of Father-Child Relationships in the United States
Paternity leave-taking is believed to benefit children by encouraging father-child bonding after a birth and enabling commitments to fathers’ engagement. Yet, no known U.S. studies have directly focused on the associations between paternity leave-taking and children’s reports of father-child relationships. Understanding the potential consequences of paternity leave-taking in the United States is particularly important given the lack of a national paid parental leave policy. The present study uses five waves of data on 1,319 families, largely socioeconomically disadvantaged, from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to analyze the associations between paternity leave-taking and 9-year-old children’s reports of their father-child relationships. We also assess the extent to which these associations are mediated by fathers’ engagement, co-parenting quality, parental relationship satisfaction, and fathers’ identities. Results indicate that leave-taking, and particularly 2 weeks or more of leave, is positively associated with children’s perceptions of fathers’ involvement, father-child closeness, and father-child communication. The associations are explained, at least in part, by fathers’ engagement, parental relationship satisfaction, and father identities. Overall, results highlight the linked lives of fathers and their children, and they suggest that increased attention on improving opportunities for parental leave in the United States may help to strengthen families by nurturing higher quality father-child relationships.
Click for full-text version
Are Parental Relationships Improved if Fathers Take Time Off of Work After the Birth of a Child?
Research has begun to examine the consequences of paternity leave, focusing primarily on whether paternity leave-taking increases father involvement. Yet, other consequences of paternity leave-taking have not been considered using US data. This study uses longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine whether fathers’ time off from work after the birth of a child is associated with relationship quality, relationship support, and coparenting quality. We also consider whether these relationships are mediated by father involvement. Results suggest that fathers’ time off of work after a birth and length of time off are each positively associated with relationship quality and coparenting quality one year after a child’s birth. They are also positively associated with trajectories of relationship quality and coparenting quality over the first five years after birth. Father involvement at least partially mediates these relationships. Overall, this study suggests that the potential benefits of fathers’ time off of work after the birth of a child may extend beyond father involvement and may improve parental relationships.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave-Taking and Father Involvement among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged U.S. Fathers
In the present study, we examine the associations between the amount of time that U.S. employed fathers took off from work after the birth of a child (i.e., paternity leave-taking) and trajectories of how frequently fathers engage with their children and take responsibility for them. To do so, we analyze longitudinal data on 2,109 fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a data set that contains information from disproportionately socioeconomically disadvantaged families from large urban areas. The results indicate that, one year after birth, paternity leave-taking and lengths of leave are positively associated with fathers’ engagement and responsibility. In addition, paternity leave-taking is positively associated with trajectories of fathers’ responsibility over the first 5 years after birth. Lengths of paternity leave are positively associated with trajectories of fathers’ engagement. Finally, there is evidence that paternity leave-taking and lengths of leave-taking are especially likely to boost fathers’ engagement and responsibility among nonresident fathers. Overall, the findings from the present study suggest that an expansion of paternity leave-taking may encourage higher subsequent levels of father involvement—especially among nonresident fathers.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave and Parental Relationships: Variations by Gender and Mothers' Work Statuses
Objective: This study examines the associations between paternity leave and parents’ reports of relationship satisfaction and relationship
conflict, and whether the associations vary by parent gender and mothers’ work statuses.
Background: Paternity leave research in the U.S. has focused on implications for father involvement, but paternity leave may also help to strengthen
parental relationships by promoting a more equitable division of domestic labor. Given gender gaps in childcare, the association between paternity leave
and parental relationship outcomes may also vary by gender and mothers’ work statuses.
Method: The sample consists of 4,700 couples (i.e., parent dyads) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Multilevel models are used to
assess the associations between paternity leave and both relationship satisfaction and conflict, and whether these associations vary by gender and
mothers’ work statuses.
Results: Paternity leave-taking is positively associated with parents’ reports of relationship satisfaction, but length of paternity leave is only positively
associated with mothers’ reports of relationship satisfaction. Also, among mothers who worked prior to the child’s birth, paternity leave-taking and length of
leave are negatively associated with their reports of relationship conflict. In contrast, among mothers who did not work in paid labor pre-birth, paternity
leave is positively associated with mothers’ reports of relationship conflict.
Conclusion: Paternity leave may have implications for parental relationships (and especially mothers’ perceptions of their relationships with fathers).
Click for full-text version
Paid Paternity Leave-Taking in the United States
Surprisingly few studies have focused on paternity leave-taking in the U.S. This study utilizes data from three national datasets to provide a comprehensive examination of the attitudes, practices, and predictors of paid paternity leave-taking in the U.S. Specifically, this study focuses on (a) describing attitudes towards fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave, (b) describing rates and lengths of paid paternity leave-taking, and (c) analyzing the extent to which economic capital, cultural capital, social capital, and father identities predict paternity leave-taking practices. The results indicate that most people support fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave in the U.S. Yet, rates of paid paternity leave-taking are relatively low and the majority of fathers who take paid leave take only one week or less. Economic capital, cultural capital, social capital, and father identities that prioritize engaged fathering are positively associated with taking paid leave and taking longer periods of leave. Overall, the results emphasize that the current structure of U.S. paternity leave policies seems to limit access to paid paternity leave and contribute to patterns of inequality due to more advantaged fathers having greater access and ability to take paid paternity leave than less advantaged fathers.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave-Taking and Father Engagement
Evidence suggests that paternity leave-taking is associated with higher levels of father involvement, but research has been limited in its focus on cross-sectional analyses and indicators of father involvement used. This study utilizes national longitudinal data to examine whether paternity leave-taking is associated with two indicators of father engagement when children are infants, whether paternity leave-taking is associated with trajectories of father engagement during the first few years of a child’s life, and whether the relationships between paternity leave and father engagement are explained by fathering commitments and attitudes. Results suggest that longer periods of leave are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental tasks and caretaking when children are infants as well as during the first few years of children’s lives. There is also evidence that father attitudes partially explain the relationships between length of paternity leave and father engagement.
Click for full-text version
Time Off After Childbirth and Mothers' Risk of Depression, Parenting Stress, and Parenting Practices
There has been increased interest in U.S. parental leave policies, but relatively few studies have focused on how such policies may influence mothers’ well-being and parenting. This study addresses this gap by using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine factors that predict the amount of time mothers take off work following childbirth and whether length of time off is associated with mothers’ risk of depression, parenting stress, and parenting practices. Results suggest that the majority of disadvantaged mothers take three months or less off of work after childbirth. Results also suggest taking a month or less off work is associated with increased parenting stress, an increased risk of depression, and an increased likelihood of spanking relative to mothers who took more time off. Results also suggest that longer periods of time off are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental activities with the child.
Click for full-text version
Gendered Parental Leave Policies among Fortune 500 Companies
Due to the lack of a federal paid parental leave policy in the United States, access to leave for most US workers is dependent on whether their employer offers paid leave. Our research explores employer-based access to parental leave among Fortune 500 companies. We develop a classification of leave policies based on how policies differ for mothers and fathers: gender equal (equal periods of leave to mothers and fathers), gender modified (equal leave of 6 or more weeks with an additional 6–8 weeks for mothers), gender unequal (mothers offered 2 or more times longer leave than fathers), and gender-neutral gendering (policies that offer primary and secondary caregiver leave). We find that 72% of companies offer some paid parental leave, and the majority of Fortune 500 companies have paid parental leave policies that offer substantially more leave to mothers than to fathers. We also find that technology companies, larger companies, and companies headquartered in a state with paid family leave are more likely to offer paid parental leave. This research provides insight into the degree to which employer policies may contribute to gender inequality and has implications for employer-mediated inequalities in access to parental leave.
If I [Take] Leave, Will You Stay? Paternity Leave and Relationship Stability
Recent European studies suggest that fathers’ leave-taking may contribute to parental relationship stability. Paternity leave-taking may signal a commitment by fathers toward a greater investment in family life, which may reduce the burden on mothers and strengthen parental relationships. This study uses longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) to analyze the association between paternity leave-taking and relationship stability in the United States. Results indicate that paternity leave-taking, and taking relatively short leaves (i.e. two weeks or less) in particular, is associated with greater relationship stability. These findings increase our understanding of the potential benefits of paternity leave, and can inform policy decisions that aim to increase family stability.
Fathers’ Paternity Leave-Taking and Children’s Perceptions of Father-Child Relationships in the United States
Paternity leave-taking is believed to benefit children by encouraging father-child bonding after a birth and enabling commitments to fathers’ engagement. Yet, no known U.S. studies have directly focused on the associations between paternity leave-taking and children’s reports of father-child relationships. Understanding the potential consequences of paternity leave-taking in the United States is particularly important given the lack of a national paid parental leave policy. The present study uses five waves of data on 1,319 families, largely socioeconomically disadvantaged, from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to analyze the associations between paternity leave-taking and 9-year-old children’s reports of their father-child relationships. We also assess the extent to which these associations are mediated by fathers’ engagement, co-parenting quality, parental relationship satisfaction, and fathers’ identities. Results indicate that leave-taking, and particularly 2 weeks or more of leave, is positively associated with children’s perceptions of fathers’ involvement, father-child closeness, and father-child communication. The associations are explained, at least in part, by fathers’ engagement, parental relationship satisfaction, and father identities. Overall, results highlight the linked lives of fathers and their children, and they suggest that increased attention on improving opportunities for parental leave in the United States may help to strengthen families by nurturing higher quality father-child relationships.
Click for full-text version
Are Parental Relationships Improved if Fathers Take Time Off of Work After the Birth of a Child?
Research has begun to examine the consequences of paternity leave, focusing primarily on whether paternity leave-taking increases father involvement. Yet, other consequences of paternity leave-taking have not been considered using US data. This study uses longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine whether fathers’ time off from work after the birth of a child is associated with relationship quality, relationship support, and coparenting quality. We also consider whether these relationships are mediated by father involvement. Results suggest that fathers’ time off of work after a birth and length of time off are each positively associated with relationship quality and coparenting quality one year after a child’s birth. They are also positively associated with trajectories of relationship quality and coparenting quality over the first five years after birth. Father involvement at least partially mediates these relationships. Overall, this study suggests that the potential benefits of fathers’ time off of work after the birth of a child may extend beyond father involvement and may improve parental relationships.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave-Taking and Father Involvement among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged U.S. Fathers
In the present study, we examine the associations between the amount of time that U.S. employed fathers took off from work after the birth of a child (i.e., paternity leave-taking) and trajectories of how frequently fathers engage with their children and take responsibility for them. To do so, we analyze longitudinal data on 2,109 fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a data set that contains information from disproportionately socioeconomically disadvantaged families from large urban areas. The results indicate that, one year after birth, paternity leave-taking and lengths of leave are positively associated with fathers’ engagement and responsibility. In addition, paternity leave-taking is positively associated with trajectories of fathers’ responsibility over the first 5 years after birth. Lengths of paternity leave are positively associated with trajectories of fathers’ engagement. Finally, there is evidence that paternity leave-taking and lengths of leave-taking are especially likely to boost fathers’ engagement and responsibility among nonresident fathers. Overall, the findings from the present study suggest that an expansion of paternity leave-taking may encourage higher subsequent levels of father involvement—especially among nonresident fathers.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave and Parental Relationships: Variations by Gender and Mothers' Work Statuses
Objective: This study examines the associations between paternity leave and parents’ reports of relationship satisfaction and relationship
conflict, and whether the associations vary by parent gender and mothers’ work statuses.
Background: Paternity leave research in the U.S. has focused on implications for father involvement, but paternity leave may also help to strengthen
parental relationships by promoting a more equitable division of domestic labor. Given gender gaps in childcare, the association between paternity leave
and parental relationship outcomes may also vary by gender and mothers’ work statuses.
Method: The sample consists of 4,700 couples (i.e., parent dyads) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Multilevel models are used to
assess the associations between paternity leave and both relationship satisfaction and conflict, and whether these associations vary by gender and
mothers’ work statuses.
Results: Paternity leave-taking is positively associated with parents’ reports of relationship satisfaction, but length of paternity leave is only positively
associated with mothers’ reports of relationship satisfaction. Also, among mothers who worked prior to the child’s birth, paternity leave-taking and length of
leave are negatively associated with their reports of relationship conflict. In contrast, among mothers who did not work in paid labor pre-birth, paternity
leave is positively associated with mothers’ reports of relationship conflict.
Conclusion: Paternity leave may have implications for parental relationships (and especially mothers’ perceptions of their relationships with fathers).
Click for full-text version
Paid Paternity Leave-Taking in the United States
Surprisingly few studies have focused on paternity leave-taking in the U.S. This study utilizes data from three national datasets to provide a comprehensive examination of the attitudes, practices, and predictors of paid paternity leave-taking in the U.S. Specifically, this study focuses on (a) describing attitudes towards fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave, (b) describing rates and lengths of paid paternity leave-taking, and (c) analyzing the extent to which economic capital, cultural capital, social capital, and father identities predict paternity leave-taking practices. The results indicate that most people support fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave in the U.S. Yet, rates of paid paternity leave-taking are relatively low and the majority of fathers who take paid leave take only one week or less. Economic capital, cultural capital, social capital, and father identities that prioritize engaged fathering are positively associated with taking paid leave and taking longer periods of leave. Overall, the results emphasize that the current structure of U.S. paternity leave policies seems to limit access to paid paternity leave and contribute to patterns of inequality due to more advantaged fathers having greater access and ability to take paid paternity leave than less advantaged fathers.
Click for full-text version
Paternity Leave-Taking and Father Engagement
Evidence suggests that paternity leave-taking is associated with higher levels of father involvement, but research has been limited in its focus on cross-sectional analyses and indicators of father involvement used. This study utilizes national longitudinal data to examine whether paternity leave-taking is associated with two indicators of father engagement when children are infants, whether paternity leave-taking is associated with trajectories of father engagement during the first few years of a child’s life, and whether the relationships between paternity leave and father engagement are explained by fathering commitments and attitudes. Results suggest that longer periods of leave are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental tasks and caretaking when children are infants as well as during the first few years of children’s lives. There is also evidence that father attitudes partially explain the relationships between length of paternity leave and father engagement.
Click for full-text version
Time Off After Childbirth and Mothers' Risk of Depression, Parenting Stress, and Parenting Practices
There has been increased interest in U.S. parental leave policies, but relatively few studies have focused on how such policies may influence mothers’ well-being and parenting. This study addresses this gap by using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine factors that predict the amount of time mothers take off work following childbirth and whether length of time off is associated with mothers’ risk of depression, parenting stress, and parenting practices. Results suggest that the majority of disadvantaged mothers take three months or less off of work after childbirth. Results also suggest taking a month or less off work is associated with increased parenting stress, an increased risk of depression, and an increased likelihood of spanking relative to mothers who took more time off. Results also suggest that longer periods of time off are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental activities with the child.
Click for full-text version
Fatherhood
A second key research focus is on fatherhood, focusing on the role of fathers in children's lives as well as how gender norms and workplace practices may influence fathers' attitudes and behaviors. These questions have important implications for understanding gender and socioeconomic inequalities within families. Example publications in this area are:
Variation in Masculinities and Fathering Behaviors: A Cross-National Comparison of the United States and Canada
Research continues to consider the barriers to and facilitators of positive fathering behaviors. One area recently addressed by researchers focuses on the relationship between masculine norm adherence and father involvement. Yet, little work has examined cross-national variability in this relationship—despite differences in gender norms, fathering expectations, and social policies across countries. This study considers possible differences in the relationship between masculine norm adherence and father involvement in the United States and Canada—two similar countries, with important differences in the social and cultural contexts in which fathering takes place. Using data on over 4,000 Canadian and American fathers, our results show that fathers in Canada are warmer, more involved, provide more care, and use harsh discipline less than their American counterparts. Results also show that the negative association between masculine norm adherence and positive fathering behaviors is stronger among American fathers than Canadian fathers. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of social context for understanding how gender norms shape men’s parenting, as we find variation in the association between masculine norms and fathering between two countries with similar cultures, but different social policies around family life.
Do Workplace Characteristics Moderate the Effects of Attitudes on Father Warmth and Engagement?
Though many fathers want to be warmer, more nurturing, and more actively involved than prior generations (i.e., the new fatherhood ideal), they also embrace a father’s traditional role as financial earner. Thus, we hypothesized that fathers’ attitudes about their roles would likely interact with workplace characteristics to produce variations in father warmth and engagement. Using a national sample of 1,020 employed U.S. fathers with children ages 2-8 years old, results suggest that adherence to the new fatherhood ideal was associated with more frequent father engagement and warmth, while endorsing traditional gender norms was associated with less father warmth. Also consistent with prior research showing that family-friendly work cultures may enable fathers to be more engaged parents, we find that a family supportive workplace and greater flexibility in when and where fathers work, were associated with more frequent father engagement and warmth. Moreover, interaction results suggest that the associations between job flexibility and engagement are stronger for fathers who do not fully endorse the new fatherhood ideal; associations between workplace support and warmth are also stronger for fathers who do not fully endorse the new fatherhood ideal. Thus, flexibility and a family supportive workplace may particularly enable father involvement for fathers whose attitudes might otherwise be a barrier to their involvement.
Religious Variability in the Relationship Between Masculinity and Father Involvement
While traditional masculinity and fathering behaviors are seemingly associated, few studies have considered the conditions under which masculine norms may influence fathers’ behavior. Religiosity is an important factor to consider, given its association with both the endorsement of traditional gender attitudes and father involvement. This paper addresses the independent effects of traditional masculine norms and religiosity on fathering behaviors
and considers whether religiosity moderates the relationship between masculinity and men’s parenting behaviors. Using a national sample of fathers with children aged 2–17 in the United States, the results suggest that masculinity is negatively associated with father involvement, while religiosity is positively associated with father involvement. Yet, both highly masculine and highly religious fathers are more likely to engage in harsh discipline. Moreover, results suggest that religiosity attenuates the negative relationship between masculinity and active father involvement, while exacerbating the positive relationship between masculinity and harsh punishment.
Does Adherence to Masculine Norms Shape Fathers’ Behaviors?
Research suggests that many fathers struggle balancing hegemonic masculine norms with new fatherhood ideals. This study utilizes data on 2,194 fathers from a national study on fathers of children aged 2-18 and incorporates a comprehensive assessment of masculine norms to examine whether adherence to masculine norms is associated with father involvement, and whether this relationship is mediated by fathers’ adherence to the new fatherhood ideal that promotes engaged, nurturing parenting. Results suggest that fathers who more closely adhere to masculine norms are less involved in instrumental and expressive parenting, and are more likely to engage in harsh discipline, than fathers who are less masculine. Adherence to masculine norms also reduces the likelihood of embracing the new fatherhood ideal, and adherence to the new fatherhood ideal at least partially mediates the relationship between masculinity and father involvement. Overall, despite changing expectations for fathers, hegemonic masculine norms continue to shape fathers’ behavior.
Religious Participation, Religious Affiliation, and Engagement with Children Among Fathers Experiencing the Birth of a New Child
Using data on 3,124 fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examines whether the birth of a child leads men to increase their religious participation and whether this increase in participation is associated with father engagement. Results indicate that religious participation is positively related to paternal engagement and that first-time fathers with high levels of religious participation report the highest engagement with children. In addition, many fathers report an increase in religious participation in the year following their child's birth, but this increase is not associated with paternal engagement. However, a decrease in religious participation is negatively related to father engagement. Finally, religious affiliation is not related to paternal engagement. Overall, this study suggests that religiously active fathers are more likely to be engaged with their children at early ages and that religious participation may be especially important for new fathers who are transitioning into parenthood.
Variation in Masculinities and Fathering Behaviors: A Cross-National Comparison of the United States and Canada
Research continues to consider the barriers to and facilitators of positive fathering behaviors. One area recently addressed by researchers focuses on the relationship between masculine norm adherence and father involvement. Yet, little work has examined cross-national variability in this relationship—despite differences in gender norms, fathering expectations, and social policies across countries. This study considers possible differences in the relationship between masculine norm adherence and father involvement in the United States and Canada—two similar countries, with important differences in the social and cultural contexts in which fathering takes place. Using data on over 4,000 Canadian and American fathers, our results show that fathers in Canada are warmer, more involved, provide more care, and use harsh discipline less than their American counterparts. Results also show that the negative association between masculine norm adherence and positive fathering behaviors is stronger among American fathers than Canadian fathers. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of social context for understanding how gender norms shape men’s parenting, as we find variation in the association between masculine norms and fathering between two countries with similar cultures, but different social policies around family life.
Do Workplace Characteristics Moderate the Effects of Attitudes on Father Warmth and Engagement?
Though many fathers want to be warmer, more nurturing, and more actively involved than prior generations (i.e., the new fatherhood ideal), they also embrace a father’s traditional role as financial earner. Thus, we hypothesized that fathers’ attitudes about their roles would likely interact with workplace characteristics to produce variations in father warmth and engagement. Using a national sample of 1,020 employed U.S. fathers with children ages 2-8 years old, results suggest that adherence to the new fatherhood ideal was associated with more frequent father engagement and warmth, while endorsing traditional gender norms was associated with less father warmth. Also consistent with prior research showing that family-friendly work cultures may enable fathers to be more engaged parents, we find that a family supportive workplace and greater flexibility in when and where fathers work, were associated with more frequent father engagement and warmth. Moreover, interaction results suggest that the associations between job flexibility and engagement are stronger for fathers who do not fully endorse the new fatherhood ideal; associations between workplace support and warmth are also stronger for fathers who do not fully endorse the new fatherhood ideal. Thus, flexibility and a family supportive workplace may particularly enable father involvement for fathers whose attitudes might otherwise be a barrier to their involvement.
Religious Variability in the Relationship Between Masculinity and Father Involvement
While traditional masculinity and fathering behaviors are seemingly associated, few studies have considered the conditions under which masculine norms may influence fathers’ behavior. Religiosity is an important factor to consider, given its association with both the endorsement of traditional gender attitudes and father involvement. This paper addresses the independent effects of traditional masculine norms and religiosity on fathering behaviors
and considers whether religiosity moderates the relationship between masculinity and men’s parenting behaviors. Using a national sample of fathers with children aged 2–17 in the United States, the results suggest that masculinity is negatively associated with father involvement, while religiosity is positively associated with father involvement. Yet, both highly masculine and highly religious fathers are more likely to engage in harsh discipline. Moreover, results suggest that religiosity attenuates the negative relationship between masculinity and active father involvement, while exacerbating the positive relationship between masculinity and harsh punishment.
Does Adherence to Masculine Norms Shape Fathers’ Behaviors?
Research suggests that many fathers struggle balancing hegemonic masculine norms with new fatherhood ideals. This study utilizes data on 2,194 fathers from a national study on fathers of children aged 2-18 and incorporates a comprehensive assessment of masculine norms to examine whether adherence to masculine norms is associated with father involvement, and whether this relationship is mediated by fathers’ adherence to the new fatherhood ideal that promotes engaged, nurturing parenting. Results suggest that fathers who more closely adhere to masculine norms are less involved in instrumental and expressive parenting, and are more likely to engage in harsh discipline, than fathers who are less masculine. Adherence to masculine norms also reduces the likelihood of embracing the new fatherhood ideal, and adherence to the new fatherhood ideal at least partially mediates the relationship between masculinity and father involvement. Overall, despite changing expectations for fathers, hegemonic masculine norms continue to shape fathers’ behavior.
Religious Participation, Religious Affiliation, and Engagement with Children Among Fathers Experiencing the Birth of a New Child
Using data on 3,124 fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examines whether the birth of a child leads men to increase their religious participation and whether this increase in participation is associated with father engagement. Results indicate that religious participation is positively related to paternal engagement and that first-time fathers with high levels of religious participation report the highest engagement with children. In addition, many fathers report an increase in religious participation in the year following their child's birth, but this increase is not associated with paternal engagement. However, a decrease in religious participation is negatively related to father engagement. Finally, religious affiliation is not related to paternal engagement. Overall, this study suggests that religiously active fathers are more likely to be engaged with their children at early ages and that religious participation may be especially important for new fathers who are transitioning into parenthood.
Religion and Family Life
My third research focus is on the intersection of religion and family life, seeking to understand whether and how the social institution of religion may either alleviate or exacerbate family inequality. Example publications in this area are:
Miscarriage, Religious Participation, and Mental Health
Approximately 15-20% of pregnancies result in miscarriage, yet pregnancy loss remains a socially taboo topic and one that has received limited attention in the literature. Utilizing nationally representative longitudinal data from the NLSY97, this study examines the influence of miscarriage on mental health and whether this relationship is moderated by religious participation. Results from this study suggest that miscarriage is associated with lower mental health among women who also experience a live birth. Results also suggest that religious participation moderates the relationship between miscarriage and mental health; religion is more likely to lead to increases in mental health among women who experience a miscarriage than among women who do not experience a miscarriage. Overall, evidence suggests that religion may be an important coping mechanism for women who deal with pregnancy loss.
Single Mothers' Religious Participation and Early Childhood Behavior
Using data on 1,134 single mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examined trajectories of religious participation among single mothers and whether these trajectories were associated with early childhood behavior. The results suggested that single mothers experienced diverse patterns of religious participation throughout their child's early life; some mothers maintained a consistent pattern of religious participation (or nonparticipation), and other mothers increased their participation. The results also suggested that religious participation was associated with greater involvement with children, reduced parenting stress, and a lower likelihood of engaging in corporal punishment. Young children raised by mothers who frequently attended religious services were less likely to display problem behaviors, and this relationship was partially mediated by increased child involvement, lower stress, and less frequent corporal punishment. Overall, religious participation may provide resources for single mothers that encourage them to engage in parenting practices that promote positive child development.
Family and Religious Characteristics’ Influence on Delinquency Trajectories from Adolescence to Young Adulthood
This study takes a life-course approach to examine whether family and religious characteristics influence individual-level delinquency trajectories from early adolescence through young adulthood. Based on data from the NLSY79, results suggest that residing with two parents deters youths from becoming delinquent and that supportive parenting practices reduce their likelihood of becoming involved in delinquent behavior early in adolescence. There is also evidence that family and religion interact to predict delinquency trajectories. Religion enhances the effect of parental affection in deterring delinquent behavior and mitigates the increased risk of high levels of delinquent behavior among youths in single-parent families. Moreover, the findings indicate that delinquency trajectories are not immutable; family transitions are associated with increases in delinquency, but religious participation throughout adolescence and marriage are associated with declines in delinquent behavior. Overall, results suggest that family and religious characteristics continually influence the extent to which youths commit delinquent acts.
Miscarriage, Religious Participation, and Mental Health
Approximately 15-20% of pregnancies result in miscarriage, yet pregnancy loss remains a socially taboo topic and one that has received limited attention in the literature. Utilizing nationally representative longitudinal data from the NLSY97, this study examines the influence of miscarriage on mental health and whether this relationship is moderated by religious participation. Results from this study suggest that miscarriage is associated with lower mental health among women who also experience a live birth. Results also suggest that religious participation moderates the relationship between miscarriage and mental health; religion is more likely to lead to increases in mental health among women who experience a miscarriage than among women who do not experience a miscarriage. Overall, evidence suggests that religion may be an important coping mechanism for women who deal with pregnancy loss.
Single Mothers' Religious Participation and Early Childhood Behavior
Using data on 1,134 single mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examined trajectories of religious participation among single mothers and whether these trajectories were associated with early childhood behavior. The results suggested that single mothers experienced diverse patterns of religious participation throughout their child's early life; some mothers maintained a consistent pattern of religious participation (or nonparticipation), and other mothers increased their participation. The results also suggested that religious participation was associated with greater involvement with children, reduced parenting stress, and a lower likelihood of engaging in corporal punishment. Young children raised by mothers who frequently attended religious services were less likely to display problem behaviors, and this relationship was partially mediated by increased child involvement, lower stress, and less frequent corporal punishment. Overall, religious participation may provide resources for single mothers that encourage them to engage in parenting practices that promote positive child development.
Family and Religious Characteristics’ Influence on Delinquency Trajectories from Adolescence to Young Adulthood
This study takes a life-course approach to examine whether family and religious characteristics influence individual-level delinquency trajectories from early adolescence through young adulthood. Based on data from the NLSY79, results suggest that residing with two parents deters youths from becoming delinquent and that supportive parenting practices reduce their likelihood of becoming involved in delinquent behavior early in adolescence. There is also evidence that family and religion interact to predict delinquency trajectories. Religion enhances the effect of parental affection in deterring delinquent behavior and mitigates the increased risk of high levels of delinquent behavior among youths in single-parent families. Moreover, the findings indicate that delinquency trajectories are not immutable; family transitions are associated with increases in delinquency, but religious participation throughout adolescence and marriage are associated with declines in delinquent behavior. Overall, results suggest that family and religious characteristics continually influence the extent to which youths commit delinquent acts.