This paper uses the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) to compare academic achievement of children in two-parent, single mother and single father families. Academic achievement is measured by a math and reading composite score from a standardized achievement test. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models are used to test three competing theories of children's academic achievement: economic theory, individualistic perspective of gender and evolutionary parental investment theory. Findings do not support the evolutionary parental investment theory. The economic theory, which states that single fathers are more capable of offering economic resources to their children compared to single mothers, is supported. This economic advantage of children in single father families allows children in this family type to achieve at the same level as (keep up with) children in single mother families. The individual perspective of gender, which states that children in single mother families fare better because women fulfill the caregiver and homemaker roles, is supported by this study. It is also possible that other factors play a role in differing levels of academic achievement between children in different family types. / Department of Sociology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/187434 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Klein, Abby E. |
| Contributors | Pellerin, Lisa A. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 52 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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