HOUSEHOLD CHANGE AND RACIAL-INEQUALITY IN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING, 1960 TO 1980

The 1960s and 1970s in the United States were marked by major demograp hic changes. Marriage was delayed, divorce increased fertility decreas ed, and there was a relative increase in nonmarital fertility. These c hanges led to an increase in female household headship which acted to decrease economic well-being in the population. The changes also led t o a decrease in the number of children in households which acted to in crease economic well-being. These two household composition changes va ried by race. As a result, increased female headship and decreased num ber of children affected more than levels of economic well-being, the changes affected racial inequality in economic well-being as well.