In search of a family policy: Family structure, children's well-being and the effects of public policy

This thesis explores two interrelated hypotheses: (1) family structure affects the social and political development of children, and (2) public policy influences patterns of family structure in the United States. To what extent family structure is important persists as an issue of public concern, as the structure of the American family continues to change. The thesis examines family structure from the perspective of evolutionary theory, and it contrasts the effects of biological two-parent, single, and stepparent families on children's development. Evolutionary theory uses the concepts of inclusive fitness and genetic relatedness to explain the effects of family structure on child development. In particular, it posits that two biological parents have a greater interest in their children's well-being than parents in family structures with less genetic relatedness.;The dissertation examines the effects of family structure on the social development of children through a review of empirical literature. It focuses on two indicators of social development: reproductive strategies and educational attainment. Results from the literature show that family structure does significantly affect children's development and that the effects are consistent with an evolutionary perspective.;The dissertation next extends this finding to examine whether family structure affects children's political socialization. Using data from the American National Election Studies and the Youth-Parent Socialization Panel Study, it shows that family structure, including the presence of the mothers and fathers and their two-way interaction effects, has a significant effect on children's interest in politics, level of internal political efficacy, and participation in the political process.;The dissertation concludes with a review of the impact of public policy on family structure, using the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program to illustrate. The supposition that this program divides families reveals the difficulties of evaluating a policy's effects on family formation and family structure and the difficulties of designing policy reforms responsive to the evolutionary foundations of family structure effects.;In summary, family structure affects children's social and political development. Given the potential for policies to influence family structure, it is important to support policies that will at least not compromise the biological family.