Relationship Stability Following An Unintended Birth

Karen B. Guzzo, Kutztown University

Extensive research has shown that children increase union stability, particularly for marital unions. However, the impact of intendedness of births on relationship stability has not been empirically examined. Since intention status reflects both perceived relationship stability and perceived readiness to parent, the impact of intended and unintended births is likely to differ. Given the high proportion of unintended births in the United States, assessing possible differences is important in understanding the stability of cohabiting and marital unions. This analysis compares relationship outcomes after first and higher-order intended and unintended births. Results using data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth show that both marriages and cohabitations are more likely to dissolve after an unintended first birth than after an intended first birth. The instability associated with an unintended first birth is persistent, and an unintended higher-parity birth following an intended first birth also increases instability.