Relationship Formation and Stability in Emerging Adulthood: Do Sex Ratios Matter?

Research links sex ratios with the likelihood of marriage and divorce. However, whether sex ratios similarly influence precursors to marriage (transitions in and out of dating or cohabiting relationships) is unknown. Utilizing data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study and the 2000 U.S. Cen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social forces 2011-09, Vol.90 (1), p.269-295
Main Authors: Warner, Tara D., Manning, Wendy D., Giordano, Peggy C., Longmore, Monica A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Adulthood
Adults
Census
Census Figures
Censuses
Cheating
Cohabitation
CONSEQUENCES OF SEX RATIOS
Couples
Dating
Dating (Social)
Deception
Divorce
Divorce mediation
Early Parenthood
Female-male relations
Females
Gender
Interpersonal Relationship
Life Stage Transitions
Life transitions
Males
Marital Satisfaction
Marriage
Men
Modeling
Personal relationships
Sex Ratio
Sexual behavior
Sexuality. Marriage. Family relations
Shriver, Eunice Kennedy
Social dating
Sociology
Sociology of the family. Age groups
Stability
Young Adults
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Summary:Research links sex ratios with the likelihood of marriage and divorce. However, whether sex ratios similarly influence precursors to marriage (transitions in and out of dating or cohabiting relationships) is unknown. Utilizing data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study and the 2000 U.S. Census, this study assesses whether sex ratios influence the formation and stability of emerging adults' romantic relationships. Findings show that relationship formation is unaffected by partner availability, yet the presence of partners increases women's odds of cohabiting, decreases men's odds of cohabiting, and increases number of dating partners and cheating among men. It appears that sex ratios influence not only transitions in and out of marriage, but also the process through which individuals search for and evaluate partners prior to marriage.
ISSN:0037-7732
1534-7605
DOI:10.1093/sf/90.1.269