The Causal Effects of Father Absence

Posted: 27 Jul 2013

See all articles by Sara McLanahan

Sara McLanahan

Princeton University - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

Laura Tach

Harvard University - Department of Sociology

Daniel Schneider

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Sociology

Date Written: July 2013

Abstract

The literature on father absence is frequently criticized for its use of cross-sectional data and methods that fail to take account of possible omitted variable bias and reverse causality. We review studies that have responded to this critique by employing a variety of innovative research designs to identify the causal effect of father absence, including studies using lagged dependent variable models, growth curve models, individual fixed effects models, sibling fixed effects models, natural experiments, and propensity score matching models. Our assessment is that studies using more rigorous designs continue to find negative effects of father absence on offspring well-being, although the magnitude of these effects is smaller than what is found using traditional cross-sectional designs. The evidence is strongest and most consistent for outcomes such as high school graduation, children's social-emotional adjustment, and adult mental health.

Suggested Citation

McLanahan, Sara and Tach, Laura and Schneider, Daniel, The Causal Effects of Father Absence (July 2013). Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 39, pp. 399-427, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2298459 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071312-145704

Sara McLanahan (Contact Author)

Princeton University - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs ( email )

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544-1021
United States
609-258-4875 (Phone)
609-258-5804 (Fax)

Laura Tach

Harvard University - Department of Sociology ( email )

33 Kirkland Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Daniel Schneider

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Sociology ( email )

410 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

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