Childspacing and Family Economic Position

The economic position of white Detroit couples is substantially better the longer the interval to first birth or to last birth. The relationship between tempo of family growth and level of income is diminished but not eliminated when marital duration and husband's education are controlled. The like relationship with level of asset accumulation persists despite control of marital duration, husband's education and income. The 20 per cent of the sample who were premaritally pregnant have their subsequent children more quickly than others and show the strongest relationships between childspacing and economic position. It is suggested that those who have their children shortly after marriage are under greater economic pressure, are less likely to accumulate assets, and are more likely to become discouraged in the quest for economic success.