Couple Relationship Status and Patterns in Early Parenting Practices

Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,003), we examine the role of parental relationship status at birth on maternal adherence to current recommendations regarding breastfeeding, corporal punishment, and well-child visits. At the bivariate level, parents' union status is almost linearly related to adherence to recommendations. Multivariate models, however, reveal that much of the association stems from the selection of more advantaged individuals into more serious relationships. The results suggest that, although relationship status may be an accurate indicator of parents who are at risk of not adhering to recommended parenting behaviors, the underlying causes of nonadherence are more complex. Key Words: fragile families, parenting, relationship status. Among the many forces that influence child wellbeing and development, the strength of the parental relationship is thought to be a particularly salient factor (Carlson & McLanahan, 2006) linked to a variety of parenting practices ranging from day-to-day decisions involving child nourishment and discipline to adherence to general pediatric guidelines. In particular, more stable and serious unions are generally associated with positive maternal decision making and behaviors (Carlson & McLanahan; McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994), though explanations for these patterns are varied (see, e.g., Carlson & McLanahan, 2006; Osborne, 2004a, 2004b; Orbuch, Thornton, & Cancio, 2000). Moreover, despite evidence that single-parent and cohabiting families exhibit different parenting strategies from married families (Dunifon & Kowalski-Jones, 2002; Thomson, McLanahan, & Curtin, 1992), little distinction has been made among nonmarital union types and how these different types relate to differential patterns in childrearing practices (Carlson & McLanahan, 2006; Osborne, 2004b). This lack of distinction is problematic given that about one third of children in the United States are born to unmarried parents. This article examines the associations between parental relationship status and mothering behaviors during the first year of life, using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (Fragile Families). Rather than just focus on one narrow aspect of mothering or subjective measures of parenting quality, as has generally been done in the past, we focus on parenting behaviors for which the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued clear guidelines: breastfeeding initiation and duration, use of corporal punishment, and attendance at well-child visits. We contribute to the extant literature in this area by analyzing how the wide spectrum of couple relationship statuses and stability over time may be differentially or similarly associated with a broader range of beneficial infant-care practices than has previously been the case. We also pay particular attention to whether possible selection factors explain any observed association between relationship types and parenting practices. Defining optimal parenting practices has long been the topic of considerable concern and debate among child development experts, pediatricians, public health officials, and of course, new parents. That said, there is an overall consensus that certain early parenting behaviors are important preventative and protective measures that can improve children's health and development. For instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics (1997) task force has argued that the nutritional, immunological, and physiological benefits of human milk for infants are unmatched by any substitute feeding option. Thus, increasing breastfeeding initiation and promoting longer durations (current recommendations are to breastfeed for at least 6, and preferably 12, months) have become important public health objectives (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1997). The American Academy of Pediatrics also actively discourages spanking as a form of discipline, especially for very young children (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1998). …