Early marriage in the United States

Citation

Uecker, J. E. & Stokes, C. E. (2008). Early marriage in the United States. Journal of Marriage and Family. vol. 70 (4) pp. 835-846 , PMCID: PMC2841346

Abstract

Despite drastic changes in the American family, a significant minority of Americans marry early. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N= 14,165), this study evaluates the prevalence and antecedents of early marriage in the United States. The results indicate 25% of women and 16% of men marry before age 23, and early marriage varies widely across a number of characteristics. Individuals who marry earlier are more likely to be from disadvantaged families, from conservative Protestant or Mormon families, to value their religious faith more highly, to have a high-school diploma but a lower educational trajectory, and to cohabit before marriage. Scholars and policymakers interested in marriage should pay adequate attention to understanding and supporting these individuals’ marriages.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00530.x

Keyword(s)

Cohabitation/Marriage

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Marriage and Family

Author(s)

Uecker, J. E.
Stokes, C. E.

Year Published

2008

Volume Number

70

Issue Number

4

Pages

835-846

DOI

10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00530.x

PMCID

PMC2841346

Reference ID

774