Family Structure and Cohort Trends in Childhood Family Income Volatility

The authors examine cohort trends in childhood income volatility among U.S. children born between 1970 and 1990. In contrast to previous studies that focused mainly on period trends, the adopt a cohort-life-course perspective measure children’s exposure from birth age 17, which provides more adequate account of economic environment during early life stages. Using data Panel Study Income Dynamics, investigate (1) how has changed across cohorts, (2) differ by family structure, (3) extent increasing prevalence single-headed families growth contribute overall trend volatility. results show increased over time; who lived experienced greater increase than those two-headed families; both (“composition effects”) fact families’ incomes have become less stable (“volatility past decades for significant proportion children, yet their relative contributions White Black families.