The Relationship between Education and Patterns of Union Formation in the United States and across Europe

Brienna Perelli-Harris, University of Southampton
Mark J. Lyons-Amos, University of Southampton

Previous studies have demonstrated that patterns of union formation have become more complex in Europe and the United States. Little is known about how relationship patterns differ by level of education within and across countries. In this paper, we use latent class growth analysis to compare the educational distribution of relationship patterns in the United States and across 14 countries in Europe. Latent class growth curves show how individuals can change their relationship status (never partnered, married, premaritally cohabiting, cohabiting, or separated) between the ages of 15-45. Statistical tests determine that 8 classes best fit the data. We then use multinomial logit models to determine whether education is associated with the 8 latent classes. Preliminary results suggest that education is more important for classes that show the postponement of marriage than classes reflecting non-marital family forms. Differences across countries appear to be greater than differences across educational categories