Parents Apart: Differences Between Unmarried and Divorcing Parents in Separated Families

With 2 in 5 births in the United States occurring outside of marriage, parents who were never married to each other are entering the family court system in increasing numbers. This study draws on data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine how the circumstances of unmarried parents who are living apart 5 years after having a child together compare to those of previously married parents, as well as important variations among unmarried parents. Our results show that unmarried parents are younger, have fewer children in common, are more likely to have children with other partners, and are more likely to report paternal incarceration than previously married parents. Unmarried parents who did not have a close relationship at the time of their child's birth had the weakest connections 5 years later, reporting lower levels of nonresident father contact, parental relationship quality, paternity establishment, and in-kind support than other parents living apart. Key Points for the Family Court Community An increasing number of separated parents were never married to each other, and these parents may have different needs and experiences than divorcing parents when they come into contact with the family court system. Unmarried parents living apart have more barriers to father involvement and co-parenting than previously married parents who live apart. Unmarried fathers who did not have a close relationship with mother at the time of the birth have weaker connections to mothers and children 5 years later.