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
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,
And yet they stabilise! The effect of children on marital stability
European Population Conference 2014 (2014). (Budapest, Hungary)
Authors: 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,
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,
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,
Cohabitation trends; policies and practices
(2015).
CPC organised workshop
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
Focus on Partnerships: Discourses on Cohabitation and Marriage throughout Europe and Australia
(2014).
Public Side-Meeting at European Population Conference organised by Brienna Perelli-Harris.
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,
Focus on Partnerships: Discourses on cohabitation and marriage throughout Europe and Australia.
Demographic Research (2015).
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Bernardi L,
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,
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,
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,
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,
Perelli-Harris B, (2015) Partnership Formation and Dissolution in Western Societies in International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd Edition
Elsevier, 545-552.
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,
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,
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,
Multilevel models for cross-national comparisons: The association between individual and national-level demographic characteristics in fertility and partnerships
CPC (2015). Series Number: 71.
Authors: Amos M,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
The association between individual and national-level characteristics in fertility and partnership
BSPS 2013 (2013). (University of Swansea)
Authors: Amos M,
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,
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,
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: An examination of 15 countries using latent class growth models
CPC (2013). Series Number: 37.
Authors: Perelli-Harris B, Amos M,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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 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,
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 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,
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,
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,
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,
Understanding diversity in partnership formation across Europe
110th ASA Annual Meeting (2015). (Chicago, Illinois)
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,
Universal or Unique? Understanding union formation across Europe and Australia
Rhodes Symposium (2014). (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
Why marry? Understanding union formation across Europe and Australia
2nd Conference of the Rostocker Ring (2013). (MPIDR, Rostock, Germany)
Authors: Perelli-Harris B,
“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,
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
Are married people happier? Population Europe. 2019
Will marriage really die out? Metro. 2019
Healthy living with long-time partner ESRC website. 2019
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






