Projects
Non-marital childbearing project
Project contributors: Perelli-Harris B, Styrc M, Sanchez-Gassen N, Amos M,
This Project is part of the following research programme/s:
Overview
Over the past several decades, childbearing within cohabitation has risen sharply throughout most of Europe, Australia, and the U.S. This project aims to study the diffusion of childbearing within cohabitation using a number of analytic levels and methodological perspectives. The following questions are being explored:
1) Trends: How does fertility differ by union status, and how do these differences change over time? Are there differences by parity, age pattern, or timing? How does the decline in marital fertility contribute to the increase in share of nonmarital births?
2) Explanations: What are the underlying reasons for increasing childbearing within cohabitation? What has produced variation across countries? How do policies impact and/or respond to childbearing within cohabitation? How do societal-level perceptions of cohabitation, marriage, and childbearing differ across countries?
3) Lifecourse trajectories: How do the lifecourse trajectories for women who bear children differ by union status? Are women who give birth within cohabitation more likely to experience changes in family structure? Is childbearing within cohabitation associated with future negative social, emotional, or economic outcomes?
To answer these questions, an innovative mixed-methods strategy is used that 1) analyzes a unique database of harmonized reproductive and union histories, 2) conducts qualitative research into the role of policies and general perspectives on nonmarital childbearing, and 3) examines the Generations and Gender Surveys in comparative perspective. Ultimately, the project aims to develop a new theoretical framework for understanding the diffusion of family change. This research will provide insights into whether lifecourse trajectories are diverging, potentially exacerbating social inequality.
Publications & Activities
Is Marriage best for health, wealth, and well-being?
Department of Quantitative Social Science (2017). (University City London)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Is There a Link Between the Divorce Revolution and the Cohabitation Boom
Understanding Society 2017 (2017). (University of Essex)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Is marriage or cohabitation better for mental well-being?
CPC (2016). Series Number: 32.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Styrc M,
Cohabitation and gender: Is freedom masculine and commitment feminine?
EPC 2016 (2016). (Mainz, Germany)
Authors: Mynarska M, Berrington A, Evans A, Isupova O, Keizer R, Klaerner A, Lappegård T, Perelli-Harris B, Schmidt E, Vignoli D,
Partnership Patterns in the United States and across Europe: The Role of Education and Country Context
Social Forces (2016). 95 (1) 251-282
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Is there a link between the divorce revolution and the cohabitation boom?
CPC (2016). Series Number: 80.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A, Sanchez-Gassen N, Galezewska P, Holland J,
The Consequences of Partnered Childbearing for Mothers' Mid-Life Health
Population Association of America, Washington D.C., 2016 (2016). (Marriott Wardman Park, Washington D.C.)
Authors: Sassler S, Addo F, Lappegård T, Perelli-Harris B, Evans A, Styrc M,
Focus on Partnerships: Discourses on cohabitation and marriage throughout Europe and Australia
Oxford Institute of Population Ageing Seminar Series (2016). (University of Oxford)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Perelli-Harris B, (2015) Partnership Formation and Dissolution in Western Societies in International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd Edition
Elsevier, 545-552.
Comparing the consequences of cohabitation and marriage in mid-life: are the effects similar across countries?
SLLS 2015 Conference "Life Courses in Cross-National Comparison: Similarities and Differences" (2015). (Dublin, Ireland)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Evans A, Addo F, Lappegård T, Sassler S, Styrc M,
The Link between the Divorce Revolution and the Cohabitation Boom
Population Association of America Annual Meeting 2015 (2015). (San Diego)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Galezewska P, Sanchez-Gassen N, Berrington A, Holland J,
Cross-national variation in repartnering across Europe and in the US: The role of individual demographic characteristics
International Seminar on Union Breakdown and Repartnering Around the World (2015). (Centre Urbanisation Culture Societe, Montreal, Canada)
Authors: Galezewska P, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
The link between the divorce revolution and the cohabitation boom
International Seminar on Union Breakdown and Repartnering Around the World (2015). (Centre Urbanisation Culture Societe, Montreal, Canada)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Galezewska P, Berrington A, Sanchez-Gassen N, Holland J,
Understanding diversity in partnership formation across Europe
110th ASA Annual Meeting (2015). (Chicago, Illinois)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
The link between partnership and mental well-being: When cohabitation is common, does marriage still matter?
110th ASA Annual Meeting (2015). (Chicago, Illinois)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Styrc M,
The link between partnership and mental well-being: When cohabitation is common, does marriage still matter?
SLLS 2015 Conference "Life Courses in Cross-National Comparison: Similarities and Differences" (2015). (Dublin, Ireland)
Authors: Styrc M, Perelli-Harris B,
Unpartnered at first birth: Mid-Life physical and mental health for women in cross-national comparison
SLLS 2015 Conference "Life Courses in Cross-National Comparison: Similarities and Differences" (2015). (Dublin, Ireland)
Authors: Addo F, Sassler S, Evans A, Lappegård T, Perelli-Harris B, Styrc M,
Changes in partnership patterns across the life course: An examination of 14 countries in Europe and the United States
Demographic Research (2015). 33 (6) 145-178
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Consequences of childbearing within cohabitation for parents' mid-life health
SLLS 2015 Conference "Life Courses in Cross-National Comparison: Similarities and Differences" (2015). (Dublin, Ireland)
Authors: Lappegård T, Addo F, Evans A, Perelli-Harris B, Sassler S, Styrc M,
The link between the divorce revolution and the cohabitation boom
3rd GGP User Conference (2015). (Vienna )
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Sanchez-Gassen N, Berrington A, Galezewska P, Holland J,
The increase in cohabitation and the role of union status in family policies: A comparison of 12 European countries
Journal of European Social Policy (2015). 25 (4) 431-449
Authors: Sanchez-Gassen N, Perelli-Harris B,
Educational differences in early childbearing: A cross-national comparative study
Demographic Research (2015). 33 (3) 65-92
Authors: Raymo J, Carlson M, Van-Orman A, Lim S, Perelli-Harris B, Iwasawa M,
“Exploring social norms around cohabitation: The life course, individualization, and culture” Introduction to Special Collection: “Focus on Partnerships: Discourses on cohabitation and marriage throughout Europe and Australia” 2015
Demographic Research (2015). 33 (25) 701-732
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Bernardi L,
Focus on Partnerships: Discourses on cohabitation and marriage throughout Europe and Australia.
Demographic Research (2015).
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Bernardi L,
The increase in cohabitation and the role of marital status in family policies:
CPC (2015). Series Number: 24.
Authors: Sanchez-Gassen N, Perelli-Harris B,
How similar are Cohabiting and Married Parents? Second Conception Risks by Union Type in the United States and Across Europe
European Journal of Population (2014). 30 (4) 437-464
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Towards a deeper understanding of cohabitation: Insights from focus group research across Europe and Australia.
Demographic Research (2014). 31 1043-1078
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Mynarska M, Berrington A, Evans A, Berghammer C, Isupova O, Keizer R, Klaerner A, Lappegård T, Vignoli D,
Universal or Unique? Understanding union formation across Europe and Australia
Rhodes Symposium (2014). (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Understanding diversity in partnership formation across Europe: Trends, explanations, and consequences
Institute for Social and Economic Research Seminar (2014). (University of Essex)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Do relationships make you happy? Investigating union formation and positive mental health in Great Britain
Family Dynamics, fertility choices, and family policy (2014). (Oslo, Norway)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Styrc M,
The link between the divorce revolution and the cohabitation boom
Family Dynamics, fertility choices, and family policy (2014). (Oslo, Norway)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A, Galezewska P, Holland J, Sanchez-Gassen N,
The link between the divorce revolution and the cohabitation boom
British Society for Population Studies Conference 2014 (2014). (Winchester)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A, Galezewska P, Holland J, Sanchez-Gassen N,
Cross-national variation in repartnering across Europe and in the US: The role of age patterns of first union formation and dissolution and childbearing
European Population Conference 2014 (2014). (Budapest, Hungary)
Authors: Galezewska P, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
And yet they stabilise! The effect of children on marital stability
European Population Conference 2014 (2014). (Budapest, Hungary)
Authors: Styrc M,
Pathways to First Birth and the Changing Role of Education in Europe and the United States
Population Association of America Meeting 2014 (2014). (Boston, MA)
Authors: Mikolai J, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
To Cohabit or to Marry? Insights from Focus Group Research across Europe and Australia
Population Association of America Meeting 2014 (2014). (Boston, MA)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Mynarska M, Berrington A, Evans A, Fliegenschnee K, Isupova O, Keizer R, Klaerner A, Lappegård T, Vignoli D,
Variation in the Intersection between Partnership and Fertility: A Comparison across Three Cohorts in 16 Countries
Population Association of America Meeting 2014 (2014). (Boston, MA)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
The increase in cohabitation and the role of marital status in family policies: A comparison of 12 European countries
CPC (2014). Series Number: 52.
Authors: Sanchez-Gassen N, Perelli-Harris B,
Partnership patterns in the United States and across Europe: "Diverging destinies" or "diverging contexts"?
CPC (2014). Series Number: 53.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Universal or unique ? Understanding diversity in family formation across Europe and the United States
Centre d'Estudis Demografics 30th Anniversary Lecture Series (2014). (Centre d'Estudis Demografics, Barcelona)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Repartnering after divorce and separation in Europe and the United States
Divorce Conference 2013 (2013). (University of Oxford)
Authors: Galezewska P, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
The role of partnership context in continuing childbearing after union dissolution in cross-national comparison
Changing families and fertility choices (2013). (Oslo, Norway)
Authors: Galezewska P,
How similar are cohabiting and married parents? Second conception risks by union type in the United States and across Europe
CPC (2013). Series Number: 35.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
The heterogeneity of relationship patterns: An examination of 15 countries using latent class growth models
CPC (2013). Series Number: 37.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Do the statistics demand a response? Cohabiting families in Europe and their protection by family law
BSPS 2013 (2013). (University of Swansea)
Authors: Sanchez-Gassen N, Perelli-Harris B,
Universal or unique? Understanding diversity in family behaviour in Europe and the US
Low Fertility and Low Mortality: Observable Reality and Visions of the Future (2013). (State University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Variation in the intersection between partnership and fertility: A comparison across 3 cohorts in 16 countries
SLLS 2013 (2013). (Amsterdam)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
Variation in the intersection between partnership and fertility: A comparison across 3 cohorts in 16 countries
BSPS 2013 (2013). (University of Swansea)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
The association between individual and national-level characteristics in fertility and partnership
BSPS 2013 (2013). (University of Swansea)
Authors: Amos M,
Spatial Aspects of the Rise of Nonmarital Fertility across Europe since 1960: The Role of States and Regions in shaping Patterns of Change
European Journal of Population (2013). 29 (2) 137-165
Authors: Klüsener S, Perelli-Harris B, Sanchez-Gassen N,
Reciprocal behaviour in partnership and fertility: new mechanisms for family formation in Europe and the United States
IUSSP 2013 (2013). (Busan Korea)
Authors: Amos M,
To cohabit or to marry? Insights from focus group research in 9 countries in Europe and Australia
IUSSP 2013 (2013). (Busan, Korea)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Vignoli D, Berrington A, Isupova O, Evans A, Lappegård T, Mynarska M, Klaerner A, Fliegenschnee K, Keizer R,
Poster: Repartnering patterns in contemporary Europe and the United States
Life-Course Transitions after Separation: Stepfamilies, Lone and Non-residential Parenthood (2013).
Authors: Galezewska P, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
The Relationship between Education and Patterns of Union Formation in the United States and across Europe
Population Association of America 2013 Annual Meeting (2013). (New Orleans)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Keynote: How similar are cohabitation and marriage? Trends, policies, and discourses from around Europe
Changing families and fertility choices (2013). (Oslo, Norway)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Why marry? Understanding union formation across Europe and Australia
2nd Conference of the Rostocker Ring (2013). (MPIDR, Rostock, Germany)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
Variation in the intersection between partnership and fertility: A comparison across 3 cohorts in 16 countries
IUSSP 2013 (2013). (Busan Korea)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
Variation in the intersection between partnership and fertility: A comparison across 3 cohorts in 16 countries
Changing families and fertility choices (2013). (Oslo, Norway)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
How similar are cohabitation and marriage? The spectrum of legal approaches to cohabitation across Western Europe
Population and Development Review (2012). 38 (3) 453-467
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Sanchez-Gassen N,
Changes in union status during the transition to parenthood in eleven European countries, 1970s to early 2000s
Population Studies (2012). 66 (2)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Kreyenfeld M, Sigle-Rushton S, Keizer R, Lappegård T, Jasilioniene A, Berghammer C, Di-Giulio P,
The heterogeneity of relationship patterns within and across countries: an examination of the United States and 14 countries in Europe
The British Society of Population Studies Conference 2012 (2012). (University of Nottingham)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
The heterogeneity of relationship patterns within and across countries: an examination of the United States and 14 countries in Europe
Seminar on First Union Patterns (2012). (Madrid, Spain)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
Revisiting the second demographic transition across Europe and the United States: examining patterns of new family behaviors by education
European Population Conference (2012). (Stockholm, Sweden)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Neels K,
How similar are cohabitation and marriage? Second conception risks by union type in the United States and across Europe
Population Association of America (2012). (San Francisco, USA)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
The changing dynamics of repartnering in contemporary Europe
New Family Forms Following Family Dissolution: Consequences in/on Postmodern Society (2012). (Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Seminar, Leuven)
Authors: Galezewska P, Perelli-Harris B, Berrington A,
Family formation via mutual reciprocity between fertility and marriage: A cross-European comparison
British Society for Population Studies Conference 2012 (2012). (University of Nottingham)
Authors: Amos M, Perelli-Harris B,
An Examination of State Policies, Cohabitation, and Childbearing within Cohabitation across Western Europe
Annual Meeting of Population Association of America (2011). (Washington)
Authors: Sanchez-Gassen N, Perelli-Harris B,
The Rise of Non-Marital Fertility across European Regions since 1960: State Policies, Political Borders and Natural Experiments
British Society for Population Studies (BSPS) Conference 2011 (2011). (York)
Authors: Klüsener S, Perelli-Harris B, Sanchez-Gassen N,
Media
Is marriage over? Aeon. 2020
Essay on Aeon website about the collapse of marriage quotes research on cohabitation by Professor Brienna Perelli-Harris.
Wort der woche (Word of the week)
Article in German newspaper references research by Professor Brienna Perelli-Harris on marriage and happiness
Living Together Without Getting Married Population Europe website. 2016
Brienna Perelli-Harris and Nora Sanchez-Gassen article online on Population Europe, "Living Together Without Getting Married"
Badly educated men in rich countries have not adapted well to trade; technology or feminism The Economist. 2015
Article on the Economist citing Brienna-Perelli's research "Badly educated men in rich countries have not adapted well to trade, technology or feminism"
Cohabiting couples have fewer rights in English law than they might inagine
Article in (ESRC) Britain in 2015 Magazine, "Cohabiting couples have fewer rights in English law than they might inagine" by Brienna Perelli-Harris.
Cohabiting Couples and their Rights
Opinion piece "Cohabiting Couples and their Rights" written by Brienna Perelli-Harris published in the ESRC Britain in 2015 magazine.
The Myths of History Vimeo.com. 2013
Video of Brienna Perelli-Harris' talk "The Myths of History" posted by the Marriage Foundation on vimeo.com
