ABSTRACT

Cohabitation is one of the fastest growing family forms in the United States. Some argue that cohabitation is the equivalent of marriage. But cohabitation is a weak family form, especially compared with marriage. Although speaking about the importance of fathers to the well-being of children is becoming increasingly popular, speaking about the importance of marriage to the well-being of fatherhood or of children is still out of fashion. Married fathers also, on average, are more likely to be actively engaged in the lives of their children and, perhaps just as important, are more accessible to them. The evidence that marriage, on average, is good for children, adults, and communities is beyond debate. The empirical literature is quite clear that marriage is the most stable and healthy environment for raising children. There are limits on government action even when seeking to promote a social good, such as healthy marriages.