title: Parenthood, Childlessness, and Well-Being: A Life Course Perspective.
abstract: This article reviews recent research (1999 - 2009) on the effects of parenthood on wellbeing. We use a life course framework to consider how parenting and childlessness influence well-being throughout the adult life course. We place particular emphasis on social contexts and how the impact of parenthood on well-being depends on marital status, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We also consider how recent demographic shifts lead to new family arrangements that have implications for parenthood and well-being. These include stepparenting, parenting of grandchildren, and childlessness across the life course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A1700, Austin, TX 78712.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Umberson
authors.forename: Tetyana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pudrovska
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reczek