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Why American Families Need the Census

Author

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  • Stephanie Coontz

    (Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and the Council on Contemporary Families)

Abstract

This article examines how family researchers use federal statistics, particularly from the U.S. Census, to understand the realities of trends concerning the family unit. The article shows that these data have helped researchers to understand the major, largely irreversible revolution that has taken place in America in the ways that people engage in family formation, make interpersonal commitments, and take on caregiving obligations. In addition, the article makes clear the importance of understanding these changes to make and evaluate policy, such as governmental efforts to promote marriage. The article also shows the usefulness of federal data in allowing researchers to track the development of a new stage of life, termed by some the “age of independence†or “emerging adulthood,†and points to the need to keep fine-tuning, rethinking, and updating the categories that are being measured.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Coontz, 2010. "Why American Families Need the Census," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 631(1), pages 141-149, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:631:y:2010:i:1:p:141-149
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716210373877
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Heather Boushey, 2005. "Are Women Opting Out? Debunking the Myth," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2005-36, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
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    3. Dahl, Gordon B. & Moretti, Enrico, 2004. "The Demand for Sons: Evidence from Divorce, Fertility, and Shotgun Marriage," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt63f8483b, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    4. Betsey Stevenson & Justin Wolfers, 2007. "Marriage and Divorce: Changes and their Driving Forces," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(2), pages 27-52, Spring.
    5. Gary S. Becker, 1981. "A Treatise on the Family," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number beck81-1.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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