Family timing in late adolescence and early adulthood: the case of southern males

Social science research & theory about familial orientations & reproductive ideals have largely neglected Ms' attitudes. Drawing on demographic & status attainment perspectives, a model of processes underlying marriage & family timing is applied to longitudinal data on 288 young adult Ms from the southern US. Several posited influences of family of origin factors, significant others, adolescent status, & familial aspirations on marital timing & fertility are assessed. 2 Tables, 1 Figure. AA.