Social Norms and Expectations about Student Loans and Family Formation

Bibliographic Data

ID2292012
AuthorsArielle Kuperberg (0000-0003-3711-2754, University of North Carolina at Greensboro), Joan Maya Mazelis (0000-0001-8527-0680, Rutgers University‐Camden, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume92
Issue1
Pages90-126
Publication date2022-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociological Inquiry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0245 • E-ISSN: 1475-682X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/soin.12416
OpenAlexW3149697046
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited39

Social norms and expectations regarding marriage or childbearing while in debt-or with an indebted partner-may explain links between student loans and lower family formation rates. This study analyzes an original survey of college students (N = 2,990) at two universities examining how student loans will, would, or should affect romantic relationship and family formation decisions. A significant minority believed marriage should be delayed and nearly half believed childbearing should be delayed when people have student loan debt. Many reported they would hesitate to marry someone with high student debt, their loans would delay family formation, and they would form families earlier if their debt were forgiven. Those with loan debt and higher debt were more willing to partner with those who had high student debt. Women were less likely to believe people should delay childbearing and marriage because of loans, but more hesitant to marry a partner with high student debt. Findings suggest social norms underlie childbearing and marriage delays among those with loans, and student loan debt creates a class divide among the highly educated

Sociology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Family Support in Illness · Gender Studies · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology