Examining cross-state variation in the increase in father-only families

Each state has the power to establish its own policy and laws relating to c hild custody determination. The number of single-parent families with child ren that are headed by fathers has been growing in the United States. This paper explores the extent of cross-state variation in the prevalence in fat her-only families in 1990, and the extent Co which there was cross-state va riation in the increase in father-only families in the 1980s. The 1980 and 1990 Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) drawn from the US decennial census es are used. Decomposition analyses of growth indicate that increases in th e number of father-only families occurred across all states during this per iod, but at varying rates. The primary reason for the increase in most stat es is an increase in the proportion of ever-married single-parent families that are headed by a father. It is for these families that are headed by di vorced or separated parents that state policy relating to child custody det ermination is most relevant.