In it for the kids (los niños son muy importantes)

A major, if not the major, reason for concern about healthy marriage grows out of its effects on children, and there is widespread agreement among family experts that, all else being equal, the optimal situation for child and adolescent development and well being is to grow up with both biological or adoptive parents who have a stable marriage.

Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “Children are the glue of marriage.” Interestingly enough, men were more likely to agree with this statement than were women. Additionally, those in the Hispanic group were more likely to agree with this statement than those in the non-Hispanic group (48% compared to 30%). This might mean that Hispanics in the State of Texas are more likely to see children as a viable reason to stay married.

That does not mean however, that divorce may not be an option. When asked if “a person in a very bad marriage should divorce quickly, particularly if children are involved” 54% of Hispanics agreed with this statement while 48 % of the non-Hispanic sample agreed. There were no differences between the younger and older groups on this question. Additional analysis indicated that it was particularly Hispanic women who were more likely to agree with this statement.

Harris, S.M., Glenn, N.D, Rappleyea, D.L., Diaz-Loving, R., Hawkins, A.J., Daire, A. P., Osborne, C., & Huston, T.L. (2008). Twogether in Texas: Baseline Report on Marriage in the Lone Star State. Austin, TX: Health and Human Services Commission.