Purpose: Despite efforts to improve the economic security of poverty families through various welfare policies, past reforms such as the Family Support Act of 1988 and PRWORA have done little to encourage men to assume active roles as fathers and partners (Cabrera & Peters, 2000). The evolution of welfare policies has in part, resulted in 65% of children from mother only families living below 200% of the poverty level (Fields, 2003), with little relational or financial father involvement. The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study indicates that while 82% of unwed couples are romantically involved at the time of their child's birth, one year later 50% have dissolved their relationship. Father disengagement is a serious problem and is linked to a host of poor child and family wellbeing outcomes (McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994). Family policymakers are now seeking to develop policies and programs that will support rather than inhibit strong family formation. This research explores the impact of economic, human and relationship capital on couple relationships.

Methods: Twelve focus group interviews were conducted with 95 low-income African-American and White single parents and couples between March and July 2004. An 8-question interview guide was used to learn about: (1) factors that impede and promote relationships and (2) resources that would help support them. A thematic analytic approach was used to assess for emergent themes, first through the question-by-question methodology and then across groups (Krueger, 1998).

Findings: Analysis of the focus group data suggest that men and women perceive economic security and relationship skills as critical to relationship success. Poor economic and human capital combined with welfare policies that discourage male presence, are serious roadblocks to struggling two-parent families. Relationship factors identified as hindering long-term unions include poor communication, lack of trust, and lack of preparedness for the stressors associated with parenthood. Participants endorsed the need for employment support, fathering, parenting and relationship classes, and couple mentoring. Programs would be best received in community-based settings including faith-based and educational locations. Outreach by trusted community members and concrete incentives for program participation were also recommended.

Implications: Couples who lack adequate economic, human, and relationship capital are at highest risk for relationship dissolution. Sustaining a long-term romantic or co-parenting relationship is contingent, in large part, on a father's ability to provide financial support. Family policies to strengthen at-risk couples must be built around new assumptions that promote early father-family attachment, bolster men's employment and educational opportunities, and provide parenting and relationship skills training and support.

Cabrera, N., & Peters, H. E. (2000). Public policies and father involvement. Marriage & Family Review, 29, 295-314. Fields, J. (2003). Children's living arrangements and characteristics: March 2002 (Current Population Reports, P20-547). Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. Krueger, R. A. (1998). Analyzing and reporting focus group reports. In The focus group kit, Vol. 6. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. McLanahan, S., & Sandefur, G. (1994). Growing up with a single parent: What hurts, what helps. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.