Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Committee Chair

Rachael A Woldoff

Abstract

Research shows that many inner city fathers work a variety of jobs to make a living for themselves and their families. While some fathers work in traditional jobs that are regulated and taxed, others generate income "off-the-books" or through illegal work called "hustles." This thesis uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to assess the impact of hours worked in regular jobs, off-the-books ventures, and illicit hustles on fathers' involvement with their eighteen-month old child. The regression results show that fathers who spend increasing hours hustling tend to be less involved with their children than fathers who work regular jobs and/or work off-the-books. These effects persist even after controlling for fathers' age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, cohabitation, and relationship with their child's mother.

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