Research has shown that nonresident versus resident fathers are less involved with their biological children and involvement may be a function of father identity. Research also has shown that maternal kin play a central caregiving role in families. This paper examines the extent to which maternal family involvement is associated with father identity. Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1836) showed that, net of a number of confounding factors, maternal family involvement was associated negatively with father identity, although nonresident fathers were significantly likely to feel less good about themselves as fathers regardless of maternal family involvement. Overall, results suggested that the extended family context in which parents (of young children) are embedded may contribute to how men identify as fathers.

ObjectiveThis study examines the extent to which mothers coreside with extended kin during partnership transitions.BackgroundParental relationship changes are increasingly common, especially among unmarried parents. Although research shows that families often coreside out of economic necessity, extended kin coresidence as a function of maternal relationship changes has not been explored. Using life course theory, this study examines where and with whom mothers and their children live during partnership transitions.MethodData are from 2,886 mothers who participated in the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression, random effects, and fixed effects models were estimated to determine if mothers' coresidential relationships with extended kin were formed by changes in mothers' coresidential romantic partnership statuses.ResultsMothers' partnership changes were associated with extended kin coresidence, especially among unmarried mothers. By Year 9, mothers were more likely to live “elsewhere.” Mothers' parity and multipartnered fertility decreased their chances of living with extended kin.ConclusionThis study indicates that maternal relationship changes provoke family instability and reliance on extended kin. Mothers' transitions contribute to “network fatigue” and homelessness.ImplicationsHousing support for mothers may mitigate instability associated with maternal relationship transitions and protect extended kin against transitions.

This dissertation consists of an introductory chapter; three quantitative papers, all using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study; and a discussion chapter. Chapter Two, "For us or the children: Exploring the association between coparenting trajectories and parental commitment," is situated in commitment theory and estimates latent growth curves. Findings suggest that coparenting relationships among unmarried parents are strong across the first five years of their children's lives. Further, coparenting relationships appear to influence parental commitment at year 5. Supportive coparenting among unmarried, cohabiting parents (i.e., less committed than married parents) increases the strength of parental relationships. Chapter Three, titled "Maternal partnership transitions and coresidence with extended kin," is situated in life course theory and estimates fixed and random effects models. Findings suggest that unmarried mothers versus married mothers are significantly more likely to coreside with extended kin, especially early in their children's lives and following a partnership break up. Unmarried mothers, versus married mothers, are significantly more likely to live in extended kin homes than their own homes.

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