Overview

The purpose of the Spiritual Transformation and Marriage in Urban America project is to answer two central questions: (1) Are spiritual transformations (e.g., increases in religious attendance, reports of spiritually-transforming experiences, and changes in religious affiliations) among unmarried urban parents associated with improvements in the quality of their romantic relationships and with transitions into marriage? (2) Is the retreat from marriage influencing the likelihood that urban parents will experience the spiritual transformations often associated with entry into adulthood (and especially marriage and childrearing)?

The research relies on longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study that is designed to analyze the conditions and capabilities of new low-income unwed parents and their children in 20 cities with populations over 20,000. Approximately 3,700 children born to unmarried parents and 1,100 born to married parents are included in the latter study.

The project period is 8/01/03-7/31/05 and the point of contact is Hossein Faris. Ask a Question.